


H 



.■ 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES 
OUT OF DOORS 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES 
OUT OF DOORS 



BY 



LILLIAN M. HEATH 

A UTHOR OF ''EIGHTY PLEASANT EVENINGS" 




FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY 
CHICAGO NEW YORK TORONTO 



CONGRKSS, 

Tvw Co«e» RECtivto 

AUG. 6 • 1902 

Catfrnmr tirmv 

■ivU ■ -L 5"- IC] 1^ 
CLASS ^ XX«. Wo. 

COPY 8. 



COPYRIGHT, 1902, 
BY FLEMING H. 
REVELL COMPANY 

July 






TYPOGRAPHY BY 

MARSH, AITKEN & CURTIS COMPANY 

CHICAGO 



CONTENTS 



Page 

Preface 1 1 

Chicago Campus Fete 13 

Finding the Frost Queen's Necklace 16 

Game of Hab-Enihan 18 

The New-Old Sweden 20 

Game of Rubicon 22 

Log-Rolling 24 

Scotland's Burning 24 

Oriental Veranda Fete 25 

Silver Island 27 

Arab Games 29 

Mardi Gras , 31 

Burying Giant Growliglum 33 

Entertaining Fresh Air Children 35 

Indian Awl Game 38 

Shooting Timber Slides 41 

Trolley Party 42 

London Bridge 44 

A Nutting Party 45 

Children of Claremont Heights 48 

Hunt the Sheep 49 

Battle of the Bean bags 50 

An Easter Drill for Little Maids 53 

Jack Fagots 58 

Washington 59 

Egg-Rolling at the Whitehouse 60 

Firefly Hunt 64 

The Queen's Cup of Tea 65 

A Girl's Field Day 68 

Fun with a Minie Dart 74 

Collecting Knotholes 76 

Magic Ladder 78 

Nuts in May 79 

Children's Day in Old Rome 80 

Swedish Water Sports 88 



CONTENTS 

Prince Thistledown's Journey ^^fS 

Turn-Pike-Loo 92 

Flower Parade 92 

Sunrise Lawn Party 94 

Little Wavelets 96 

Tom, Tom, Pull Away 99 

Morning-Glory House 100 

Moss Cottage loi 

Pineneedle Cottage 103 

nigh -Up House 105 

Fairy Bower iii 

Ice-Boating 115 

Al Verdo 117 

Ducks and Drakes 118 

A "Winter- Joke" Walk 119 

Carnival of tfce Seasons 121 

Magic Square 122 

Snow Forts 124 

Red-Line 125 

Winter Sports of Sweden 125 

Checker Leapfrog 128 

In Bubbletown 128 

Flower Drill 130 

Pic-Peg-Pin, 136 

A Lawn ' 'Gypsy Camp' ' 137 

Roof Gardens 138 

My Father and Mother Were Irish 141 

"Sugaring Off" 142 

Prince Tiptoe 144 

War Canoe Race 145 

A Girl's Camping Outfit 146 

Gypsy Drill 150 

Tobogganing 1 54 

Mallet Golf and Hockey Golf 157 

Ten Step. . . , 159 

Jolly Miller 160 

My Aunt Dorca's Rag Carpet 161 

Water Sports Day 161 

Curling 165 

Russian Sports 167 

Hornaway 171 

Olympian Games 172 

The Bangpops 177 



PREFACE. 

The more we know of grown people, the bet- 
ter we like children ; which is, after all, no reflec- 
tion on any one, for where is the man or woman 
who has not something of the child-heart still 
remaining, especially when beguiled by Fairy 
Godmother Nature into the open air, and touched 
by her magic wand? As all, therefore, are chil- 
dren, this book is intended for all ; but it need 
surprise no one if in this, to a much greater ex- 
tent than in its predecessor, the suggestions are 
adapted to those who often have the entertain- 
ment of little ones to plan. 

This is how it came about. When the little 
book, ''Eighty Pleasant Evenings," was prepared, 
more as a pleasure than a task, the welcome ac- 
corded it far exceeded the expectations of those 
who sent it forth. The present work was under- 
taken in answer to the demand for a companion 
book, devoted to open-air methods of entertain- 
ment, and in it the ''grown-ups" have not been 
forgotten; but since the children have somehow 
crept into it, and taken possession, to them must 
be accorded the right of way. 

No attempt has been made to include directions 
for such sports as require an entire manual for 
each, but prominence has been given to the sim- 
pler amusements both attractive and easy to man- 
age, with some articles on curious foreign cus- 
toms ; a number of entirely new games and plans, 
some devised by the author of the book, others 
by special contributors; and a few of the folk- 



PREFACE. 

songs and singing games always holding their 
place as favorites. 

The book has had the good fortune to be critic- 
ally read, while still in manuscript, by Mrs. Alice 
C. D. Riley, three of whose "Songs for the Child- 
World" are included by permission of the John 
Church Co. It would be impossible to name all 
those whose suggestions have been helpful, but 
for special aid thanks are due to Miss Imogen A. 
Storey, for the drills ; to Miss Alice Chadwick, 
Mrs. H. W. Doremus, Mr. John W. Rhines, Mr. 
Jos. G. Davis, Mr. A. A. Burnham, Miss Alice M. 
Guernsey, and Mr. Vincent Van Marter Beede, 
author of the Fourth of July Fantasy, etc. 

Healthful, innocent enjoyment of the out-door 
world is simply taking God at His word. Why 
should we not? In doing so, play is only the 
shell, but the kernel is full of a sweet- 
ness that leaves no bitter taste. If you, 
my reader, are one of those who have not 
yet given the fresh air a chance to blow away all 
the doleful memories or still more dismal fancies 
that trouble you, it is not too late to begin. 

With the door, then, swinging open in full 
view, and the friendly breeze echoing our call 
to the weary student or indoor toiler, this mes- 
sage of good-will is started on its way; and that 
it may have as sharers in its "good times" chil- 
dren of all ages, from the tiny toddler to the gray- 
haired man or woman, is the wish of the author 
and compiler. LILIAN M. HEATH. 




CHlCJiGO CJtMPUS FETE. 



CHICAGO CAMPUS FETE. 

The children's fete, held one never-to-be-for- 
gotten June on the University of Chicago cam- 
pus, was a remarkably pretty and interesting 
affair. Its purpose was two-fold : First, to give 
the public an object lesson in the benefits which 
may come to poor children through play prop- 
erly directed; and second, to secure funds to 
start the social centers into which some of the 
University's leading professors are trying to 
transform the public schools. In the various 
features of the entertainment children from all 
quarters of Chicago were partakers; and philan- 
thropists from every woman's club in the city 
were actively interested in the arrangements. 
The University settlements and "Neighborhood 
House" were among the busiest of helpers in the 
preparations. 

The campus was fitted up with whirligigs, 
giant swings, turning poles and gayly decorated 
May-poles; with Punch and Judy shows, hand 
organs — not forgetting the monkeys — and a 
carrousel arranged for a friendly rivalry over 
catching the rings. 

13 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

On the opening day of the fete the campus 
was a gay scene indeed. There were Swedish, 
Indian and Persian games, contributed by the 
Elm Street settlement. Picturesque Japanese 
drills and dances, in appropriate costume, were 
given by the children of the McCowen School 
for Deaf Mutes. The girls' gymnasium class of 
the Chicago Commons and the University of 
Chicago settlement gave an exhibition including 
the illustration of beautiful rhythms and danc- 
ing figures^ with accompaniments of waving scarfs 
and clashing cymbals, and the same set of girl^ 
appeared in different Greek games. Boys from 
the Jones School showed their skill on the hori- 
zontal bars, in riding on giant swings and in 
various other ways; and under the direction of 
the teacher of physical training in the vacation 
schools an army of boys gave a fine display in 
athletics and competitive games. 

Corners were devoted to leap-frog and minutes 
given to walking on stilts, running races, hurdle 
jumping, pole climbing and feats of strength. On 
a temporary stage were given national dances 
by the children of Hull House, appropriately cos- 
tumed. Another feature was the Bohemian 
games. These were in charge of Gad's Hill set- 
tlement, and were soldier games, with boys 
dressed in military uniforms and with toy guns 
and swords. A small captain marched the troops 
here and there, up and down, while they sang 

14 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

patriotic songs and exchanged military salutes. 
Other war-like games seen were the "Tug of 
War," "London Bridge," "The Weasel," and 
"Itisket Itasket." 

Then there were the more domestic games, 
"the mulberry bush," "hunt the needle's eye," 
and "the muffin man," together with the dis- 
tinctly American games of "farmer in the dell," 
"oats, peas, barley," and "jolly is the miller." 
I do not recall meeting "Little Sally Waters," 
but I think she must have been there. "Miss 
'Ginia Jones" was conspicuous by her absence, 
for which I was thankful, for such topics as sick- 
ness and death have no rightful place in chil- 
dren's plays or thoughts. 

The greatest novelty was in the national "folk- 
singing games," representing Italians, Swedes, 
Germans, Bohemians — all the nationalities to be 
found in cosmopolitan Chicago and New York. 
In these games enter in the elements of repeti- 
tion, rhyme, rhythm, gesture and choosing; these 
elements, according to Miss Hofer, the noted 
kindergarten leader, give a distinct educational 
value, as well as the dramatic features dear to 
the child's heart, each game providing abundant 
opportunity for spontaneous and creative expres- 
sion. 

The better types of these singing games coun- 
teract the influence of the common street games, 
in which are reflected the vulgarities of the life 

15 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

the children see about them. If the taste for 
these games be instilled in the childish mind they 
will hardly care to play 'Toliceman," and drag 
each other off to an imaginary police station ; 
nor will they be attracted by ''Lazy Mary" and 
similar games. That is, they will not if those 
trying to help them do not tire, but continue 
their efforts till a strong and lasting mental en- 
vironment is created. The transformation can- 
not be wrought in a day, nor in a few weeks. 
The need of the child, and of many older people 
as well, of entertainment of the right kind is 
what it is hoped the social centers will supply. 
Professor Zueblin and his assistants intend that 
in the course of time great swimming baths and 
gymnasiums, lectures and concerts, shall be 
added to the original sources of help, that bodies 
and minds may be alike invigorated. The entire 
plan is intended to benefit those into whose lives 
no refining influence comes except through the 
devoted workers who find pleasure in giving their 
best to the poor and unknown. 



FINDING THE FROST QUEEN'S NECK- 
LACE. 

She tries to look most pathetic and dignified — 
this odd little queen in mock distress — but often 
the dimples will creep into sight, as she sits on 

i6 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

her throne made of a log, her head adorned with 
a somewhat wabbly crown of bright autumn 
leaves, and holding a scepter made of a tree 
branch. Her two attendants, 'Twinkle" and 
"Sparkle," begin the game by running franti- 
cally in the direction of the other children a little 
distance away, singing as they go: 
"The North Pole, the North Pole's in trouble to- 
day, 
For great is the treasure that's vanished away; 
The Frost Queen is crying, so deep is her grief, 
Come quickly, good subjects, to bring her re- 
lief!"* 
Everyone hastens to the unfortunate queen, 
who, wringing her hands in despair, then wav- 
ing her scepter commandingly, sings: 
"My necklace of diamonds is lost in the wood ! 
Go search for it quickly, as true subjects should. 
Who finds it, who finds it, shall yet wear a 

crown. 
For she shall be queen till the sun has gone 

down !" 
All sing, as they join in the search: 
"Her necklace of diamonds is lost in the wood ! 
We search for it quickly, as true subjects should. 
Who finds it, who finds it, shall yet wear a 

crown. 
For she shall be queen till the sun has gone 
down !" 



♦Tune, "Green Gravel." 

17 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

The necklace is composed of chestnuts, cones 
or other woodland jewels which can be strung, 
and, it is needless to explain, has been carefully 
hidden by the Frost Queen with the help of her 
two attendants. In the search for it all join ex- 
cept Twinkle and Sparkle, who encourage them 
by gleefully calling out, whenever anyone goes 
near the hiding place of the necklace, 'The North 
Pole is growing warmer," and when someone 
finally discovers the treasure, ''The North Pole's 
afire !" The fortunate finder becomes, in turn, 
the Frost Queen, chooses her attendants, hides 
the necklace, and so it proceeds. 



GAME OF HAB-ENIHAN. 

When played on the beach, as I first saw it, 
this is an extremely interesting game. 

First find, for each player, a dozen smooth, 
water-washed stones about the size of the palm 
of the hand. Flat stones with rounded edges are 
the best. These are the "habs." 

Mark with a stick upon the sand twelve circles, 
one within the other, like those of a target. 
Number these rings from the outside to the 
center. They should be perhaps five inches 
apart. 

Standing at a stated distance each player 
pitches a hab at the target, or "enihan," leaving 
the stone inside the circle struck. As the game 

i8 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

progresses, after the first time around, any 
player, counting from where any one of his 
habs may rest, can move that hab as many 
circles toward the center as will correspond with 
the number of the circle which he last struck. 
If this brings the hab to the center without ex- 
hausting his number he can place a new hab 
forward as many rings as will correspond with 
the number left over. If any player can throw 
two habs into a circle occupied by some other 
player's hab he captures the former player's hab 
and removes it. If at any time a player's hab 
is so thrown as to rest upon a line which bounds 
the ring, he loses his move for that round. 

The game consists of any specified number of 
points, but if at any time any one of the players 
has no habs on the enihan, this ends the game. 
Then each player counts the number of his habs 
in the center and the number of those he has 
captured. The one having the most is the win- 
ner, and adds to his score all habs left on the eni- 
han. 

The players have three objects throughout the 
game: to work to the center, to protect their 
own habs from capture, by getting more than 
one in the same circle, and to capture the oppo- 
nent's habs. The game can be played on the 
grass, or bare ground, as well as on the sand. 
If played on the grass the enihan must be marked 
with whitewash. 

19 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

THE NEW-OLD SWEDEN. 

In the suburbs of Stockholm is a resort where 
can be seen, in its perfection, Swedish peasant 
life as it was one, two, and even three centuries 
ago. It is Skansen — a tract of land forty acres 
in size, part of it cultivated like our own modern 
parks, and a part left in its own natural condi- 
tion, sprinkled with scraggly pines, and resem- 
bling the wild, neglected landscape in Delacarlia 
or Norrland, the two most interesting portions 
of Sweden. 

Here the "folk-festivals," for which the Swed- 
ish poets have composed their most beautiful 
songs, are held every spring; and here the na- 
tional holidays, both at midsummer and Christ- 
mas, are celebrated with all the olden customs 
carefully preserved. About one hundred and 
twenty-five people have been brought here to 
live in the peasant houses — which houses them- 
selves have also been transported, piece by piece, 
from wherever they were discovered, as original 
types. Huts of fishermen on the south coast of 
the Scandinavian peninsula ; camps of the Lapps 
in the arctic regions ; actual farmhouses, with 
their stables, have been taken down carefully and 
rebuilt in Skansen by the men who lived in them, 
so that they are true to life, even to the furniture 
— the benches attached to the walls, the chests 
or "bonador" in which the household linen is 
kept, the beds built into the partitions, the cook- 

20 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

ing utensils, the dairy, the nursery, and the com- 
pany room — all are precisely as of old, and their 
inmates are employed to carry on the old-time 
duties and explain things to visitors. Costumes, 
food, dishes and all are in keeping; and there is 
no limitation about it. Every one of the prov- 
inces of Sv^eden which has a distinctive dress 
or a unique custom is represented by the actual 
people who have always lived in that manner. 
How would this seem to you, my progressive 
American reader? It is all based on a motto in- 
scribed over one of the gates of this curious 
place: "The day will come when all our gold 
will not be sufficient to buy an accurate picture 
of the times long past." 

Perhaps the greatest attraction is the peasant 
dances. These take place three or four times a 
week at sunset, when, their daily work done, 
the peasants gather at some central place, always 
surrounded by crowds of interested spectators. 
On alternate nights the dancing is by the chil- 
dren, of whom there are thirty-seven under fif- 
teen years of age, dressed exactly as were their 
great-great-grandfathers and grandmothers at 
the same age. All the music for the dancing is 
furnished by old-fashioned instruments, and none 
but old-fashioned tunes are permitted. 

At Christmas there are appropriate exercises, 
with a representation of the visit of the wise men 
to the manger, or some similar incident of the 

21 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

story of the Nativity. On the 24th of June, Mid- 
summer Eve, there are May-pole dances, feasting 
and other festivities of ancient Sweden, in which 
the entire population of Skansen take part. Add- 
ing to these attractions the modern ones of the 
more park-like portions of the tract, little won- 
der is it that Skansen is the most interesting and 
popular resort of Sweden today. 



GAME OF RUBICON. 

This is a good lawn or schoolyard game for 
a large number, and is played as follows: Two 
players are chosen whose province it is to act 
as pursuers. After deciding upon these two — 
who, for convenience, we will call Ethel and 
Mildred — half the players arrange themselves 
two by two in a long double column, one couple 
behind another, as if about to march. The other 
half file up in the same way facing them ; the 
two columns beginning a short distance apart 
and extending back, away from each other. 

Ethel and Mildred then place themselves fac- 
ing each other, one at the head of each column. 
When ready they call out, ''Cross the Rubicon," 
at which signal the rear couples of each column 
must run forward, on each side, and try to reach 
the rear of the opposite column in safety. 

The diagram shows the position of the players 
22 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

while awaiting the signal, and the direction of 
the running:. 



r 



1 



oooo OOOOOOO 

o o 

OOOOOOO OOOOOOO 

u ^ 

When the two from Ethel's column have 
reached a point opposite Ethel, then, and not 
until then, she pursues one of them. She must 
choose quickly which one, for there is no time 
to be wasted; and she can neither look behind 
her to see how near they are, nor start to chase 
either of them until they are at a point even 
with her. Then she must run swiftly enough 
to capture the one pursued before that one 
reaches the rear of the other line. Failing in 
this she must return to her place, the two un- 
captured runners from her own line taking their 
places just behind her. If she succeeds the cap- 
tured runner must take her place, and she ranges 
herself just behind, in company with the unpur- 
sued runner. 

Meanwhile the same thing has been going on in 
Mildred's line, the two lines proceeding inde- 
pendently of each other, the rear couples being 
the runners each time. 



23 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

LOG-ROLLING. 

Did you ever see the lumbermen of Canada 
engaged in the sport of log-rolling? It is a curi- 
ous sight — a pastime from which most of us 
would prefer to be excused, as it consists of 
dancing on a rolling log, in the water. But it 
is extremely interesting to watch. 

A lumberman will step out on the log and 
begin a sort of quaint dance, keeping the log 
spinning round and round in the water. Then 
a comrade will join him, and the sport is to try 
to set the log spinning in the opposite direction 
and upset the other dancer unless he is quick 
enough to get in step. The men enter into this 
sport with great enthusiasm, and though occa- 
sionally one gets a wetting, he does not mind it, 
and is soon ''up and at it" again. One would 
need to be dressed in a bathing or other water- 
proof suit, and select shallow water free from 
sharp rocks, before trying to imitate such sport; 
and in fact, unless you happen to be water sprites 
or Canadian lumbermen, it ia as well to content 
yourselves with looking on. 



SCOTLAND'S BURNING.* 

The game based on this lively song is not so 
well known, perhaps, as the song itself. Forming 

*For music, see page 191. 

24 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

a ring with three players in the center as 
''judges," the children sing the song as a round, 
making appropriate motions as they sing. While 
those who begin the round are singing "Scot- 
land's burning! Scotland's burning!" they throw 
the right hand up and forward. At the words 
"Look out ! Look out !" they lean forward, shad- 
ing the eyes with the right hand. At "Fire ! Fire ! 
Fire ! Fire !" they throw up both hands ; and at 
"Pour on water! Pour on water!" they bring 
both hands slowly down as if pouring. All fol- 
low with the same motions as they reach the 
same words. Whenever a judge detects anyone 
making a mistake that one must turn around, fac- 
ing outside the circle. The last three left facing 
in are the winners, and are to be the judges next 
time. 



ORIENTAL VERANDA FETE. 

It was in a New York suburb, in most prosaic 
modern times, but children and grown folks alike 
wandered in a maze of delight through its en- 
chantments — I had almost said through its pages, 
for it was like a scene from the Arabian Nights. 
While the broad veranda, half surrounding the 
house, was the center of attraction, the lawn 
also shared in the honors. At its entrance was 
a small tent inhabited by an imposing Arab and 
Turk in characteristic costumes, who sold curious 

25 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

medallion-shaped tickets of admission. Further 
on, at one side, was a lemonade well — a leafy 
bower of beauty, presided over by a picturesque 
Rebekah. The entire veranda was furnished with 
a truly Oriental splendor of rugs, hassocks and 
cushions. Richly colored tapestries were hung 
as backgrounds and partitions. On the various 
tables were displayed treasures from the far East. 
Venders of Oriental sweetmeats, of fabrics from 
Damascus, and of Egyptian jewelry and curios 
mingled with the guests, and many varieties of 
costume from the Orient were correctly repre- 
sented. A little Persian bride, not more than 
twelve years of age, was especially dainty and 
charming; so were the maidens in charge of the 
Egyptian tables. There was no program; that 
would have broken the spell ; but the strains of 
a guitar, played by a Greek maiden in classic 
folds of green and white, formed a dreamy ac- 
companiment to the conversation. 

Turning again to the lawn one found small 
tables dotted around, inviting those wishing re- 
freshments to be seated, and ice cream and cake 
were there served from a tent near by. What 
these edibles lacked, themselves, in strictly Ori- 
ental character, was amply atoned for in the cos- 
tumes of those serving them ; while Japanese lan- 
terns in profusion gave to the scene a fairy-like 
appearance. It was an entertainment requiring 

26 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

much study and care in the preparation ; but the 
result justified the effort. 



"SILVER ISLAND." 

As there happened to be only one of her, the 
small girl in the Atwood family was sometimes a 
trifle lonesome. Dolls there were in plenty, it 
is true, and other toys ; but, strange to say, none 
of the most elaborate playthings had half the 
charm for Alma that she found in a load of fine, 
sparkling, silvery white sand brought to the yard 
one day straight from the beach. 

"Look, mamma ! it is like a little island of silver, 
and the grass is the ocean. I am going to call 
it my Silver Island." And "Silver Island" it 
was, to the end of the chapter. Like a princess 
royal did the happy child rule over her small 
domain. No wonder; for there are so many 
things that can be done with this fascinating snow 
that never melts. Sometimes dry and sometimes 
mixed with a little water, it is always full oi 
possibilities. 

Mountains and valleys, palaces and curious 
little caves that Alma explained were the homes 
of goblins — she had been reading George Mc- 
Donald's "Princess and Goblin" — appeared as if 
by magic. On some days the whole island would 
be transformed into a kitchen, where were con- 

27 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

cocted some truly remarkable dishes. At other 
times the cakes and biscuits were swept aside, 
while the region became a miniature Desert of 
Sahara, over whose shining expanse, seated on 
a camel from Noah's Ark, two of the tiniest dolls 
traveled by slow degrees and nearly died of thirst 
and exposure and the sandstorms that swept 
across their path — finally escaping with their 
lives after the most harrowing adventures. An- 
other doll was Alice in Wonderland, and found 
in Silver Island many of her former friends 
and some new ones. Again, the magic heap of 
sand became a smooth, large circle that shone in 
the moonlight and was just right for a fairy 
ring. If the fairies did not come there and dance 
that night they must have been ungrateful in- 
deed. Then, the next day. Silver Island would 
be changed into a reception room, the like of 
which was never seen on land or sea. And when 
imagination gave out — for even an imagination 
half-past seven years old will tire at times — 
there was still the delight of just letting the 
soft, dry sand run trickling through her fingers 
in glittering showers, while the dolls looked on 
admiringly. 

There is no mistake about it; children of kin- 
dergarten age, and even several years older, will 
enjoy a load of sand more than almost any other 
plaything that can be given them. Get the white 
beach sand if possible, but even ordinary sand 

28 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

IS better than none; whether the child is from 
palace or slums there will be no failure to have 
a thoroughly good time. And if at bed time 
the small shoes and stockings emit fine showers 
of the silvery treasure, you need be neither sur- 
prised nor shocked ; it will shake off, and leave 
the happiness and health behind. 



ARAB GAMES. 

Among the games played by small Arabs are 
several quite familiar to us, including blind-man's 
bluff, puss-in-the-corner, leap-frog and marbles. 
Some are too brutal to merit description ; though 
it must be said in their defense that on one occa- 
sion, when a player was accidentally hurt in 
their national game of jereed, or throwing spears 
over one another's heads, it stopped the game at 
once. The Arabs would hardly understand our 
practice of carrying a disabled man from the field 
and putting in a substitute; and the substitute 
would be superstitious about taking so unlucky 
a position. 

Two very simple games played by the smaller 
children have some interesting features. On a 
beautiful shade-tree known as the zinzalucht, or 
"pride of India," grows a small berry, about the 
size of a pea, which when green is very hard. 
The children use them in a game somewhat sim- 
ilar to "jackstraws." They first make a little 

29 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

mound of earth in which there are many layers 
of these berries. Carefully working the mound 
into the shape of a cone they place one berry on 
top and sift fine earth over the whole. The game 
consists in removing the berries, one at a time, 
on the end of a pin stuck in a stick, and it re- 
quires some skill; for, as in jackstraws, if the 
player disturbs any berry besides the one for 
which he is trying, so that it is moved or rolls 
down, he loses them both, and his turn also. 

Joora, or "hole-in-the-ground," is a very popu- 
lar game played in the spring, sometimes with 
marbles, but more often with apricot stones. 
Syrian apricots are of two kinds ; the nut almond, 
the stone of which contains a delicious kernel, 
and a smaller variety, the kelaby, or "little dog" 
kind, the stones of which are about the size of 
a common marble. 

A hole about six inches deep and four inches 
across is scooped in the earth. Each player, in 
turn, standing about four or six feet away, takes 
as many stones as he wishes to venture, and 
tries to throw them all, at one toss, into the hole. 
At the same moment his companion, who is not 
supposed to know how many he throws, calls 
out "odd" or "even," referring to the number 
that falls in the hole. If his guess is correct he 
wins the game and the apricot stones ; if not, 
he gives the thrower as many stones as do go in. 

After the game is over, if the nut almond stones 
30 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

were the kind used, the children can pass them 
around and eat them — only I am afraid the little 
Arabs do not always thus share their treasures 
with their less fortunate playmates — or they can 
make beautiful whistles of them. To do this they 
moisten the stone in a little water, then wear 
a hole in one side by rubbing it swiftly on a 
larger stone. 

MARDI GRAS. 

Nothing delights a child's heart more than a 
gorgeous street procession. But as to that all 
the world is a child, when witnessing the splen- 
dors of the wonderful Mardi Gras of New Or- 
leans. 

Each year, during Carnival Week, just preced- 
ing Lent, the various mystic societies of the 
quaint old French town arrange a succession of 
street parades, receptions and other festivities 
that dazzle the beholder. These societies include 
the "Atlanteans," the 'Tlves of Oberon," ''Co- 
mus," "Rex" and others. Each has its mock 
court, king and queen, ball and parade, all form- 
ing a part of the week's celebration. Of the 
various royal personages Rex, the Merry Mon- 
arch, holds chief sway, the others being tributary 
kings. On the morning of ''Lundi Gras," the day 
before the climax of the carnival, Rex arrives, 
greeted by the shrieks of whistles, the din of 

31 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

horns and the shouts of delighted crowds. Step- 
ping from his royal barge upon the levee at the 
foot of Canal Street, he graciously accepts the 
welcome which all New Orleans hastens to give. 
Thinly but effectively masked, clad in richly col- 
ored royal garb, and surrounded by his courtiers 
in fantastic costumes, he is the most striking 
feature of the picture, in strong contrast to the 
sober hues of ordinary civilian's dress. After 
this preliminary parade to the City Hall, noth- 
ing further is seen of Rex till the next day, 
which is Mardi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday," when 
he reappears in a magnificent pageant which 
winds slowly through the quaint old southern 
streets. His identity is kept hidden till the un- 
masking at the evening ball, and as a new *'Rex" 
is chosen each year, only the members of the 
Rex Society are in the secret. "Who is Rex?" 
is the question heard on all sides, and the curi- 
osity is intense. 

We must have a glimpse of the Rex Day Pa- 
rade. It consists of forty, fifty or more large 
floats, each a beautiful conceit of m3^thology, lit- 
erature or folk-lore. Each float, the better to 
illustrate its subject, has eight, ten, or sometimes 
twenty persons grouped upon it. Correct cos- 
tuming and posing, together with silvery foun- 
tains and cascades, misty clouds and iridescent 
planets, combine to create a fairyland of charm. 
Even the day parade is beautiful and free from 

32 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

tawdriness, but it is in the night parade, under 
the soft Southern skies, and surrounded by torch- 
lights borne by attendants in joyful red, that 
the best effect is obtained. In his throne car Rex 
reclines upon a couch amid clouds of silver and 
gold, which pour a rain of gleaming iridescence 
all about him. After this float, follow the re- 
maining thirty or forty, each surpassing the other 
in beauty of conception. 

For weeks before the carnival the Rex colors, 
purple, gold and green, are everywhere visible. 
They float in bunting from balustrades, decorate 
the shop windows, are worn as badges by men, 
and as ribbons adorn the dresses of women. The 
very street lights give forth their illumination 
in purple, gold and green. To the child of the 
South Mardi Gras is as eagerly looked for as 
the Christmas tide, while a Northerner, watching 
the festivities for the first time, is bewitched as 
by a magic spell and sees in his dreams for 
weeks afterward the royal colors, graceful forms 
and melting lights and shadows of the Southland 
on Mardi Gras. 



BURYING GIANT GROWLIGLUM. 

A bright October day, plenty of dry leaves on 
the lawn, and a half-dozen or more lively, warmly 
dressed children — these are the chief essentials, 

33 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

with the help of a wooden rake, for the imposing 
ceremony named in the title. 

The dry leaves must first be carefully raked 
up in as large a heap as possible. If there is 
only one rake the players will have to share this 
honor by taking turns. Then, by means of 
"counting out" it is decided which girl is to 
be the ''mother," and which boy is to be Giant 
Growliglum, whose castle is the further side of 
the heap of leaves. The other players are the 
"children," and are named each for a different 
day of the week. 

The giant withdraws to his castle and the 
mother gives her children careful instructions not 
to go out of the house — which is usually a cer- 
tain corner of the lawn — and above all to "take 
good care of Sunday." She then starts out to 
go to market. As soon as she is gone Sunday, 
of course, immediately runs away, and is caught 
by Giant Growliglum and carried off to his castle 
in triumph. 

"Where is Sunday?" demands the mother, on 
her return home. In a heartbroken chorus the 
children explain the sad fate of the missing one. 
The mother scolds them for their carelessness, 
but goes away again, saying, "Take care of Mon- 
day." When she is gone Monday runs away, 
is caught like Sunday by the giant, and so the 
game goes on until the last child has been cap- 
tured. Then the mother starts out to rescue 

34 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

them. She finds Giant Growliglum asleep in his 
castle, close to the heap of leaves, and she and 
the children at once proceed to bury him with 
the leaves, singing 

"We're burying Giant Growliglum, 
Growliglum, Growliglum ! 
We're burying Giant Growliglum 
So deep in his castle dungeon !"* 
This continues till the giant suddenly wakes 
up, jumps out of his "dungeon" and pursues the 
others. The first one caught this time must take 
his place as giant, and the game goes on as before. 



ENTERTAINING "FRESH AIR" CHIL- 
DREN. 

How best to make these little ones happy and 
help them to find in the rare joys of a country 
outing something to awaken interest in a better 
mental atmosphere than that of their usual sur- 
roundings, has been a problem to many. All 
agree that there is a pitiful number of these chil- 
dren who do not know what play means. It is 
necessary to understand the little lives so shad- 
owed by their environment, before we can know 
how to let in the sunshine. One of the most 
thoughtful students of the situation, Miss Alice 
Chadwick, says : 

*Tune, "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush." 

35 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

The fact is that New York's slum children, if 
they play games at all, portray in their play 
only the life they see. ''Craps," "pitch and toss," 
''matching pennies," and a queer kind of game in 
which some one must be "hit mid der brick" 
which is tied to a string — these are fair samples. 
I never saw the girls play games, so-called, but 
once; and then the children had been taught to 
play by their mission teachers. They played 
"ring" games with much spirit. But, once worked 
up to the playing pitch, the youngsters recalled 
games they had learned in the distant fatherland 
— many curious games they were, too, in so far 
as they demonstrated either the antiquity of the 
game — dating back to the time when the human 
family dwelt in a single cave, or the stranger 
coincidence of the children of all the different 
nations spontaneously evolving the same game 
in later generations. But the words would shock 
you, no less than the gory suggestiveness of the 
gestures. The mission games had been adapted 
by the youngsters to the life of their homes. 
Instead of singing "This is the way we go to 
church, go to church !" they had it, "This is the 
way we fetch the beer, fetch the beer!" etc. 

But, you will say, the greater is the need to 
teach them something better. Well, the general 
experience is that it cannot be done in the space 
of two weeks — much less in one day. For that 

36 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

reason, the country amusements most useful are 
swings, bells and skipping ropes. 

You will understand that the first sensation of 
a slum child in the country is vacant wonder. 
They had always thought that apples, milk, etc., 
came from the factory. Grass was not to be 
walked on, flowers were not to be plucked. As 
soon as they understand that they are free they 
rush and shout like little savages — and it is not- 
able that their first instinct is to tear down the 
bushes in eagerness to get the flowers before 
somebody else can get them — the struggle for 
bread in another form ! The third stage is a rea- 
lization of strangeness. Like anxious little dogs 
in a strange house, they run from corner to cor- 
ner, touching, speculating — half distrusting. 
After this they may be fed ; and then — the swings 
and balls and bean-bags, perhaps ; but their tend- 
ency is to roam, and to eat often. They will play 
their own games, without any materials, under 
the leadership of their "teachers," when they 
cannot be induced to play by their hostesses. At 
the Fresh Air Homes the case is not widely 
different, and there is the strange fact that home- 
sickness has to be overcome before the child is 
happy. You will find that, almost without excep- 
tion, it is the "second-week" children who heart- 
ily enjoy themselves in the grounds of the Home. 
At these places, of course, there are croquet balls 
to be knocked about, and space for familiar in- 

37 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

door amusements on wet days. In many of the 
Homes, the children are taught a little house- 
work as well — a thing that has been the redemp- 
tion of many a squalid "home" in the city. 



INDIAN AWL GAME. 

A favorite game among women and girls of the 
Southwestern tribes is the *'awl game," or 
Tsoa, as it is called by the Kiowas. It could be 
played as a parlor game by using a sheet of heavy 
paper on top of a table for the blanket, with pins 
instead of awls ; but it is perhaps most interest- 
ing played in the woods in regular Indian fash- 
ion. This is the way in which the Indian girls 
play it : 

Take a blanket, mark it with charcoal in lines 
and dots, and half-circles in the corners, as shown 
in the diagram. A stone is placed in the cen- 
ter, upon which the sticks are thrown. 

Excepting the dots between the parallels, each 
dot counts a point. Each of the parallel lines 
and each end of the curved lines in the corners, 
also counts a point, making sixteen counts for 
the lines, or forty points in all. 

The players sit upon the ground, around the 
blanket, and start from the bottom, opposing 
players moving in opposite directions, and with 
each throw of the sticks the player moves her 

38 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

awl forward and sticks it into the blanket, at the 
dot or line to which her throw carries her. The 
parallels on each of the four sides are called 
'Vivers," and the dots within these parallels do 



J- 


■? 


■\ 


. /?/«r 


e 


R,*tr.» 


'^. 


..1. 


r 



DUOIUH or THl OIMX, 



not count in the game. The rivers at the top and 
bottom are ''dangerous" and cannot be crossed, 
and when a player is so unlucky as to secure a 
throw which brings her upon the edge of the 
river, that is, upon the first line of either of these 
pairs of parallels, she ''falls into the river" and 
must lose all she has hitherto gained, and begin 
again at the start. In the same way, when a 
player moving around in one direction makes a 
throw that brings her awl to the place occupied 
by the awl of her opponent coming around from 
the other side, the said opponent is "whipped 
back" to the starting point and must begin all 
over again. It is these unlooked-for accidents 
which add the greatest zest to the amusement. 

39 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

The game is played with four sticks, each from 
six to ten inches long, flat on one side and round 
on the other. One of these, called sahi (sohhee) 
or "green," is marked in a distinctive manner in 
the center on both sides, and also distinguished by 
having a green line along the flat side while the 
others have each a red line. There are also a 
number of small green sticks about the size of 
lead pencils, for keeping tally. Each player in 



turn takes up the four sticks together in her 
hand, and throws them down on end upon the 
stone in the center. The number of points de- 
pends upon the number of flat or round sides 
which turn up. Here is the formula : 

One flat side counts one. 

One flat side up (if sahi) counts one and gives 
another throw. 

Two flat sides up, with or without sahi, two. 

Three flat sides up, three. 

Three flat sides up, including sahi, three and 
another throw. 

All four flat sides up, six and another throw. 

All four round sides up, ten and another throw. 

Only the flat sides count except when all the 
sticks turn round side up. On completing one 

40 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

round of forty points, the player takes one of the 
small green tally sticks from the pile, and the 
one who first gets the number of tally sticks pre- 
viously agreed upon wins the game. Any even 
number of persons may play the game, half on 
each side. When two or more play on a side, all 
the partners move up the same number of points 
at each throw, but only the lucky thrower gets 
a second trial in case of a sahi throw. 



SHOOTING TIMBER SLIDES. 

If you have never "shot the timber slides" 
above Chaudiere Falls, a most exhilarating pleas- 
ure still awaits you. It is at Ottawa, Ontario. 
The fragrant breath of the Canadian pines in the 
fresh breeze makes you ready for any adventure. 
Taking a trolley car to the timber yards, you 
walk down an avenue flanked by lofty piles of the 
odorous pine boards, to the head of the timber 
slides above Chaudiere Falls. These slides are 
so constructed as to overcome the falls and ac- 
complish a drop of forty-five feet in a quarter of 
a mile. Here the great rafts which are towed 
down the St. Lawrence, are waiting, not in their 
complete form, but separated into a half-dozen 
or more "cribs" as they are called, manned by 
brilliantly clad river men. How picturesque 
these men look, with their bronzed faces, scarlet 
shirts, blue trousers and many colored sashes ! 

41 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

Stepping aboard one of these cribs, you at 
first feel a slight timidity, perhaps, as you look at 
the rushing, dancing, wavy expanse stretching 
its descending length like a watery hill before 
you. But this feeling soon yields to the delight of 
motion, as with their characteristic shouts and 
gestures, the rivermen push their cribs, one after 
another, on this lively journey. 

On, on you dash, lower and lower, with the 
water churning and splashing around you, till 
you reach the foot of the slides, under a great 
cliff that rises frowning over the little bay above 
Parliament Hill. During the descent you are 
cheered on your way by spectators from the 
bridges overlooking the slides. As no crib is al- 
lowed to start until the one before it has com- 
pleted its run, the chances of accident are greatly 
lessened; but it is a good plan to keep an eye on 
the smaller members of your party, lest in their 
excitement they try some rash experiment, and 
arrive at their journey's end minus a hat or some 
other precious belonging that may be merrily 
making its way down the stream unattended. 



TROLLEY PARTY. 

A good plan of the various city missions is 
that of arranging a trolley ride for young per- 
sons employed in the city all day. A party is 
gathered at the mission, each person paying his 

42 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

or her own fare, and a ride taken thence to some 
outlying place. The young folks are accom- 
panied by volunteers from churches or societies, 
whose duty it is to see that the fun is not too 
boisterous, and that the singing is of the best 
kind possible under the circumstances. It does 
not do to tell these people that all books and 
songs not distinctly religious are of the devil's 
writing. They will not believe you, and they 
know that you do not believe it yourself. 

One most successful outing on the general 
plan mentioned above, was given under the di- 
rection of the Junior Christian Endeavorers of 
Staten Island. The party consisted of thirty- 
five children and ten mothers from the east side 
of New York City, and were gathered through a 
mission connected with the Middle Collegiate 
Church. The enthusiasm was boundless. From 
beginning to end there was a continuous chorus 
of delight, and during the trolley ride from St. 
George to Prohibition Park, every object along 
the way, from a human being to the tiniest bird, 
was greeted with a cheer. Arriving at the park 
the pleasure was no less manifest. The pretty 
grove soon rang with the shouts of merry girls 
and boys. At the proper time a substantial meal 
was served; then there were games, and at four 
o'clock the party was called together for a treat 
of ice cream and cake. All too swiftly did the 
day go by, and after a heartfelt "thank you," 

43 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

the tired but happy party turned their faces 
homeward. Many treasures, found in field and 
woods, filled the little arms, something for the 
home-folks, who had been deprived of the joys 
of the wonderful day. Who can tell how much 
the glimpse of God in nature may mean in the 
future lives of these children, or what this one 
rest day in the year is to those tired and care- 
worn mothers? 



LONDON BRIDGE. 

Probably this old favorite will survive genera- 
tions after most of the games played by our 
grandparents are forgotten. Two of the children 
with uplifted hands form a bridge under which 
the others must pass in single file. At the words 
*'My fair lady," the bridge is lowered, and the 
player thus caught is made to choose between 
two articles previously agreed upon by those 
forming the bridge, to represent themselves. One 
by one the children, as fast as caught by the fall- 
ing bridge, are thus assigned to one side or the 
other, and the game ends in a tug of war. 

The song, the tune of which is familiar to all, 
has several slightly different versions as to word- 
ing. Here is one: 

London Bridge is falling down, 
Falling down, falling down, 
44 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

London Bridge is falling down, 
My fair lady. 

Build it up with iron bars, 
Iron bars, iron bars, etc. 
Iron bars will bend and break, etc. 
Build it up with diamond stones, etc. 
Diamond stones will stolen be, etc. 
Get a man to watch all night, etc. 
Suppose the man should fall asleep, etc. 
Get a dog to bark all night, etc. 
Suppose the dog should meet a bone, etc. 
Get a cock to crow all night, etc. 



A NUTTING PARTY 

Imagine a hundred children grouped in the 
dinginess of one of the city depots awaiting the 
train which is to take them to the nutting 
grounds. It is only a ten-mile ride, but the 
youngsters are as eager about it as though they 
were going a thousand. They group about their 
coach and besiege their escorts with a hundred 
and one questions. Some of them have never 
been nutting, and never have set eyes on a hick- 
ory nut tree, a hazel-nut bush or a walnut tree. 
They h*ave seen the nuts themselves, for every 
town merchant has them for sale during the 
winter, but knowledge of the trees has never 
come to them. 

45 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

Once on the edge of the forest the members 
of the nutting party were told to arm themselves 
for the attack. Bags and baskets were supposed 
to be enough in the way of weapons, but some of 
the youngsters grabbed hoes, others had spades 
and others rakes. They were told that hazelnuts 
were to be found, and maybe butternuts, and 
perhaps hickory nuts, and that there were at 
least two walnut trees to be despoiled if anyone 
discovered them in the forest depths. 

The boys and girls gave a great shout and 
plunged into the woods. Grand old woods they 
are, cresting the great ridge over which early 
French and English travelers crossed to reach 
Lake Michigan or to work their way back to the 
fort at St. Louis. But it is many a year since 
Frenchman_, Englishman or Indian moved under 
these whispering trees. The forest has been left 
alone to the squirrels, stray cattle and the chil- 
dren that come to gather nuts. Up, then, through 
the shimmering leaves rang the call of children's 
voices and shouts as nut treasures were discov- 
ered. Many a little tooth was injured that day 
by attempting to crack the nuts in the mouth 
before they were dry. 

During the four hours the children had the 
forest to themselves. They discovered squir- 
rels' stores, but would not disturb them, else the 
little fellows would be without winter's food. 
They found several abandoned birds' nests and a 

46 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

hornet's cone. As for nuts, they secured two 
bushels, which, after all, is not much to distrib- 
ute among a hundred children. 

''Let's give them to the children that couldn't 
come," said one of the boys. 

"The children in the hospitals?" asked another. 

''Yes. We can take them home, dry them, and 
then crack them for the children that are getting 
well." 

The suggestion was accepted by every child 
present, and the nuts came into the city that eve- 
ning to be dried on a tin-roofed building where 
despoilers could not get at them. Later, when 
the cool of the year was on, the children visited 
three of the private hospitals in the city — not all 
the children of the nutting party, but a com- 
mittee representing them — and they found a 
dozen convalescent children to whom the fresh 
nuts from the forest were a treat. They dis- 
tributed them among the little ones with great 
impartiality, and then returned to their comrades 
with a report of what they had done. Everybody 
was satisfied, and the nutting party is to be re- 
peated next year. 

If better nutting than these children enjoyed 
is desired it is a very short trip into Wisconsin, 
where abundance of wild nuts may be found, 
and a most delightful day's excursion be had. 
Three or four children can be taken up there at 
slight expense, be kept in a farmhouse and have 

47 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

a delightful time enjoying what their fathers did 
years ago, when the whole Northwest was cov- 
ered with nut-bearing trees and wild fruits. 



CHILDREN OF CLAREMONT HEIGHTS. 

In her practical hints on Fresh Air Work, Miss 
Chadwick gives the following account, gleaned 
from an interview with an experienced physician 
and settlement worker: 

At Claremont Heights, near New York, is a 
kind of summer school which is very effective. 
The children are enabled to go there day after 
day for a short term (presumably somebody pro- 
vides transportation). There are tents on the 
lawn, and some gymnastic apparatus furnishes 
means of wholesome exercise and muscular de- 
velopment. This the children greatly enjoy. My 
friend says that set games of any kind are too 
much like "school" (where, perhaps you know, 
slum children are carefully instructed in play) 
to be appreciated by the children ; though, where 
space is too limited to admit much running and 
roaming the children doubtless will be amused by 
any of the old-fashioned ring games which will 
keep all occupied at the same time. One or two 
performers in the center cannot hold the atten- 
tion of the others. Dr. Delany considers Prohi- 
bition Park, Staten Island, an ideal place for 
day's outings, for the reason that there is much 

48 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

space in a natural state. The greatest need of 
these children being some understanding of a 
better mode of life than their own, there is an 
opportunity in such a place to lead them along 
in little groups, and point out to them a few of 
the — to them — marvels of nature. They are 
already filled with vacant wonder at every leaf 
and blade of grass, and they may thus be led to 
have a little intelligent appreciation. A day's free 
roaming will do them less good than a day spent 
in intelligent roaming; but by all means have the 
roaming if possible. If space is limited, how- 
ever, a light trapeze is the next best thing (these 
children have all been taught to use the flying 
bars, etc.) with swings for those who are not 
gymnasts. For rainy days, indoors, any game 
that will occupy all at once. 



HUNT THE SHEEP. 

In this game the more the merrier. Two ''cap- 
tains" are chosen, and the players divided into 
sides, each side with its captain. The counting- 
out process is applied to the two sides, as if they 
were two individuals. The side that is ''it" stays 
in a stated space, while the captain of the other 
side hides all of his charges. He then returns to 
walk like a marshal beside his opponents to see 
that they all keep in a straight line as they search 
for those hidden. 

49 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

Whenever the searching party comes danger- 
ously near to the objects of their search, the cap- 
tain of the hidden side calls out the word, "Ap- 
ple !" or ''Lemon !" or whatever other impressive 
signal may have been agreed upon, and after two 
or three such warnings, when the approach is 
very close, he at last calls ''Run, sheep, run !" 
Both sides then race to the goal. 



BATTLE OF THE BEANBAGS. 

For a children's party this has proved very 
successful. Have ready in advance a dozen, 
twenty or more bright-colored beanbags — as 
many as there are children — and hide them 
behind the shrubbery, etc., in different parts of 
the lawn. They will not be hard to find, but the 
search helps to start the fun. 

When all are found, and distributed so that 
each child has one, several games can be intro- 
duced in which the beanbags play a part. One 
of them is "Feeding the Hungry Giant." The 
"giant" is prepared as follows: 

On a piece of stout cotton the size and circular 
shape of a barrel head, paint Avith a brush the 
full-front picture of a jolly face, as large as space 
will allow. The mouth should be wide open, and 
its interior cut out and replaced by a large red 
bag sewed to the lips on the under side, so as to 

50 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

hang down behind and beneath the face to re- 
ceive the beanbags. 

Stretch the picture on a small hoop, tack it 
firmly around the edge, and fasten it, by means 
of strings or further tacking, between two poles, 
one on each side, like the sides of a ladder. 

Lean this improvised giant up against a tree, 
or the side of the house at a safe distance from 
any window. Then the children can take turns 
in "feeding" him ; each from a stated distance, 
tossing a beanbag at his open mouth. Many will 
go in^ while some will miss their mark. If the 
giant's mouth is full before the players have 
finished, take some of the beanbags out, after 
which those whose turns are yet to come can pro- 
ceed. Keep tally, and after all have tried once 
around, take out the beanbags, return them to 
the players and repeat the throwing until some- 
one has hit the mark a certain number of times 
and is declared the winner. By frequently re- 
moving and distributing the beanbags, each 
player can have three throws at each turn, if 
desired. 

Another game is "Beanbag Ring." Pile up the 
beanbags in a small mountain, hide an inexpens- 
ive finger-ring or other small object somewhere 
in the pile, and let the players, with long poles or 
sticks, poke off one beanbag after another in 
turn until the ring is found. The one first un- 
covering it is the winner and has the privilege of 

51 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

hiding it next time. As it may be hidden near the 
surface as well as in the very centre, the latter 
players do not necessarily have the advantage 
over the earlier ones that might be supposed. 
Each player can remove but one beanbag. 

As the closing game, after the lunch has been 
served, there should be a battle royal with the 
beanbags. Station the players, each with a bean- 
bag, frorn twelve to fifteen feet apart, in a circle. 
At a signal, each throws his bag to his right-hand 
neighbor, turning quickly enough to catch, if 
possible, the one that is flying toward himself. 
This seems very easy, but as the game continues 
it is sure to grow more swift and exciting. Some- 
times a belated player will have two or more bags 
lying in front of him, and another coming while 
he stoops to pick those up. If three bags accumu- 
late in any player's hands or near him, before 
he can get rid of them, he is out. Hence, in his 
haste, when he first begins to miss he is apt to 
throw wildly, which brings his neighbor into 
the same "fix," until the battle of the beanbags 
finally breaks up in an irregular, bright-colored 
shower, flying in all directions except towards 
the laughing, breathless boys and girls for whom 
they were intended. 



52 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

AN EASTER DRILL FOR LITTLE MAIDS.* 

This drill is appropriate for either school or 
Sunday school production. For it are required 
an equal number of girls of uniform height. The 
costumes should be made of white crepe de 
chine, cotton crepe, cheesecloth or other soft 
white material, and with them should be worn 
white sandals and stockings. Butterfly wings 
may be added, constructed of wire, covered with 
gauze. Each child should be provided with two 
stalks of Easter lilies, artificial lilies being prefer- 
able. 

The decorations for the stage should be white 
and green, the Easter lily being prominent among 
the flowers used. The floor should be laid off 
with chalk as shown in diagrams, to prevent mis- 
takes in marching and floor positions. 

If the drill is to be given in a Sunday school 
room the children may enter from behind the 
Bible stand, which should be a mass of lilies; if 
out of doors or in a schoolroom they may enter 
from behind a clump of shrubbery or a screen 
covered with Easter lilies. If the drill is to be 
given out of doors on a lawn whitewash may be 
used in laying off the diagrams, the same as is 
used in laying off the courts for lawn tennis. 

The children enter on lines as shown in Dia- 
gram ''A," holding lilies in outside hand extend- 

*By permission of the Designer Publishing- Co. 

53 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

ing up and slightly out at side, elbow bent. When 
they reach the lines ''R" and "L" on diagonal 
lines from the rear they begin a fancy step exe- 



CZD 



^e&r Line 



R.ea.'r 



Line 



1 




L / 

i 



Fr-ortt Line 

Diagram A 

Re3.r Line 



Front Line 

Diagram C 





K 




L 


,<^ 


~^^ 




^^"^ 




1 




1 




/ 




\s 


/ 


/ 




\s 



Front Line 

Diagram B 

Re&.r Line 




Front Line 
Diagram D 



54 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

cuted as follows: Charge diagonally forward 
with the inside foot, holding lilies extending high 
above the head, elbow straight, hand even with 
head; first count. Kneel on outside knee and let 
lilies fall forward till the tops touch the floor; 
second count. Stand to charge position, holding 
lilies as before — third count. Bring heels to- 
gether (drawing the foot in the rear to the for- 
ward one) — fourth count. This finishes first part 
of step. 

Charge diagonally forward with outside foot, 
changing lilies to opposite hand — first count. 
Drop on inside knee and bring lilies to position 
falling forward touching floor; second count. 
Stand to charge position same as before — third 
count. Heels together — fourth count. Continue 
this step to the front line. 

On reaching the front line the march Is re- 
sumed and they cross to opposite side, as shown 
by arrows in Diagram ''A," those on the left 
marching in front of those on the right. They 
turn towards the rear and then turn on curved 
lines to lines "R" and ''L," as shown in Diagram 

When they reach lines "R" and "L" they begin 
a fancy step executed as follows : Divide the lily 
stalks, holding one in each hand, extend both 
arms shoulder high to front and point diagonally 
forward with inside foot, touching toe to floor — 

55 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

first count. Sway forward and swing both arms 
shoulder high at side, holding well back and look 
up, with the rear toe touching the floor — second 
count. Back to the first position — third count. 
Place forward foot straight forward flat on floor 
and bring the heels together (bringing the rear 
heel up to the forward foot) — fourth count. 

Repeat motion until diagonal lines in "B" are 
reached, then change to following: Extend the 
inside toe diagonally forward and touch to floor, 
both knees perfectly straight, and swing the arms 
straight beside head — first count. Bend the for- 
ward knee and extend inside arm diagonally up 
at side, outside hand on chest — second count. 
Kneel and bring arms in position with lilies fall- 
ing forward touching floor — third count. Repeat 
second count for fourth count. Repeat first 
count for fifth count. Bend forward knee and 
bring lily to position extending high above head 
• — sixth count. Repeat first count for seventh 
count. Place the forward foot straight forward, 
change weight to it and bring heels together — 
eighth count. Repeat to opposite side and con- 
tinue alternating until the front line is reached. 

On reaching the front line they turn to rear on 
side lines and resume march, holding lilies as 
at entrance. On reaching the centre of 
rear they fall into single file and march down 
centre line shown in Diagram "C" without 

56 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

changing position of lilies. On reaching the 
front line the leader turns to the right on di- 
agonal line which forms the front point of the 
star in Diagram "C" and the next turns to the 
left in same way. They all turn, alternating, 
and march on lines forming the star and halting 
in rear at a signal on cross lines ; the others halt 
on dots. 

After halting a signal is given and they turn, 
facing in same direction, and march around the 
start to the right. After they have circled the 
star once or twice a signal is given to halt, then 
another signal is given to turn facing in direction 
as shown by arrows in Diagram "C." At the 
same time each child divides the lilies she holds, 
taking one stalk in each hand. All charge in 
direction as shown by arrows in Diagram "C," 
with inside foot, and extend inside arm diagonally 
up at side, outside hand on chest. Those on 
outside points of the star charge straight for- 
ward to right, kneel on left knee 
and let lilies fall forward touching floor. 
Those on inside points charge straight forward 
with right foot and swing both arms straight for- 
ward and up beside head, holding lilies so they 
meet overhead — first count. Those on outside 
points stand to charge position — second count. 
All bring heels together, front heel drawn back 
to rear foot, and arms down at side — third count. 
All turn in same direction — fourth count. Hold 

57 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

lilies as at entrance. March resumed. After 
marching around the star to the left repeat the 
charging with counts, then repeat marching to 
right and left, holding lilies as at entrance, only 
a stalk in each hand. 

After circling the star the last time they do not 
halt, but the girl on the front middle point 
marches to front line and turns to left. The next 
girl on right follows and turns to right. They all 
follow suit and march to rear, fall in single file 
as before, and march down the centre as in Dia- 
gram ''D," turning on curved lines. After form- 
ing on this line a signal is given to halt, another 
to turn, facing front. After they have turned 
facing front they may sing together an appropri- 
ate Easter song. After that they resume the 
march, turning to rear on side lines, and march 
out on the same lines as on entering, holding lilies 
as at entrance. 



GAME OF JACK FAGOTS. 

This is exactly like a game of very much over- 
grown jackstraws. It is excellent fun at a grove 
picnic. Hold an armful of fagots a foot or two 
from the ground and then permit it to fall, in a 
pile of irregular shape. 

The first player, with a crook, hooks out as 
many fagots as possible, one after the other, 
without disturbing the remainder. If there is 

S8 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS 

ever so slight a movement of a fagot not hooked, 
it ends that player's turn, and after counting the 
score the fagots are taken up, bunched, and drop- 
ped again in a heap for the next player. 

The number of sticks safely removed by each 
player of course determines the individual score; 
and if desired, the players may be divided into 
two sides, each player being followed by one on 
the opposite side. The score of all the individu- 
als on a side, added together, would make up the 
record of that side, the larger record winning. 



GAME OF WASHINGTON. 

This seems like a combination of Italian blind- 
man's buff and hide-and-seek, but with some 
features different from both. 

First, the players ''count out," to decide who is 
'*it." The one thus fixed upon then stands by a 
tree, blindfolded, and one of the others comes up 
and taps him. The blindfolded one has to guess 
who it was. In reply to his guess, whether cor- 
rect or not, the other in turn asks him, ''How far 
shall I go?" The blindfolded one replies, "Run 
around the block," or, "to the corner," or to a 
certain tree or other landmark. If his guess as 
to who tapped him was correct, that one has to 
go as directed ; but if wrong, the guesser has to 
go himself. 

59 



EIGHTY I}OOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

Much fun is created by the uncertainty as to 
whether the guesser will have to take his own 
medicine or not. If the other, in asking the ques- 
tion ''How far shall I go?" can disguise his voice 
successfully, the guesser is left in doubt how 
long a journey to prescribe, not knowing whether 
he or the other is to be the victim. In either case, 
the rest of the players hide while the journey is 
in progress, and the traveler must then find them, 
the game proceeding from this point like hide- 
and-seek. 

Where does the "Washington" come in? 
Why, during the traveler's journey, of course. 
Do not all roads, in America, lead to the White 
House? 



EGG-ROLLING AT THE WHITE HOUSE. 

Easter Monday in Washington is a gala day 
indeed for the little folks. Not because the air 
is balmy, the grass green, the hyacinths, tulips 
and crocuses in full bloom ; these add to the 
pleasure, it is true, but the secret of the festal 
air that pervades the city is that this is Egg-Roll- 
ing Day. 

Everywhere, in the early morning, may be 
seen children, singly and in groups, rich and 
poor, black and white, each with a fanciful little 
basket, hurrying gaily in the direction of the 
White House grounds ; for on this day, by official 

60 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

decree, the grounds are given over to the enjoy- 
ment bi the children. 

Just where the time-honored custom originated 
IS a disputed question, some saying that it was 
in Germany, others, in England and Scotland ; 
but certain it is that it has taken firm root in the 
soil of our American capital. For a week before 
Easter, the children have been busy coloring 
their eggs with the brightest of calicoes and 
clearest dyes, decorating them in every conceiv- 
able way, each striving to obtain the most won- 
derful and artistic effects. Washington break- 
fasts are finished early on the morning of Easter 
Monday. Then all these artists in eggs are off, 
dressed for the most part in their prettiest clean 
aprons and school clothes, not too fine for play, 
for they are to have a great frolic. 

No child is too small, too poor, or too black to 
have a share in the fun. Tiny tots are brought 
by their mothers or nurses — some just old 
enough to toddle, others in arms, many in baby 
carriages — to open their round eyes in wonder 
at the bright colors and curious sights about 
them. Here you will see a daintily clad darling 
in charge of a smiling, dusky white-capped nurse, 
from one of the wealthiest homes in the city; 
there, a cute little black pickaninny carried by its 
mother from the humblest cabin of the negro 
quarter. On this enchanted day all are on an 
equal footing; and from whatever home they 

6i 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 



come, in countless thousands, each one carries the 
pretty basket or satchel of hard-boiled eggs. 

Without ceremony the invaders walk into the 
President's grounds, south of the White House, 
and take possession. If any are belated, their 
footsteps are quickened by the stirring music of 
the Marine band, which is ordered out for the 
occasion. 

General Grant used to love to go out and sit 
on the benches, watching the good times. Nellie 
Arthur used to take part in the egg-rolling. Mrs. 
Cleveland delighted in the pastime. One Easter 
Monday, during Mr. Cleveland's term, the chil- 
dren arrived too early, and found the gate locked. 
Nothing was to be seen or heard of the watch- 
man, so the small besiegers banged and rattled 
until the President came down and let them in 
himself. Later residents of the White House 
have been equally ready to encourage the frolic, 
and it seems reasonably safe to say that the 
present occupants will be no whit behind. 

All sorts of out door games are played, but the 
chief attraction centers around the grassy knolls 
where, one after another, bright-hued eggs are 
started on their downward journey. Some little 
girl goes to the top of one of these knolls, and 
half gleefully, half cautiously drops an egg. As 
it rolls down the incline with increasing speed 
she starts screaming after it, fearing it may be 
broken. Another child follows, then another, 

62 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

till hundreds and thousands of eggs are rolled 
down hill and Jack and Jill go tumbling after. 

Then there is the egg-racing. Two or more 
eggs are started down hill at the same time, while 
ten, twenty or fifty boys and girls watch them 
excitedly, cheering them like rival boat-crews, 
and 'even sprinkling salt on them to encourage 
them on their way. 

Another method where two children have a lit- 
tle knoll all to themselves, is quite scientific. 
One drops an egg from the top, and the other, 
stationed at the bottom, holds the point of an 
egg to receive the broadside of the one descend- 
ing. The egg being thus skillfully broken is 
eaten by the two comrades, probably as a sort 
of philopena. 

Later in the day there is usually a "profes- 
sional egg-eater" introduced, who performs some 
astonishing feats. It will serve as an instance to 
say that on one occasion this performer, a little 
street negro, not supplied with his own basket 
of eggs, offered to eat all that should be given 
him, and did actually devour in a few minutes 
twenty-six hard-boiled eggs, and walked off still 
looking wistful and hungry. 

Toy balloons, games and the band of music 
add to the enjoyment of the day, and no holiday 
is more eagerly looked for by the children of 
Washington. Why the pastime of egg-rolling 
should be confined to the national capital, how- 

63 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

ever, is not clear. There is nothing to prevent 
the same frolic being a grand success wherever 
the weather is mild and the ground somewhat 
hilly. 

FIREFLY HUNT. 

This, with the song that accompanies it, is 
said by some to be of Chippewa origin, though 
the Senecas declare it to be '*as old as grand- 
fathers," which means to the Indian, of a very 
great age. That it is an Indian children's game, 
and a most picturesque one, is beyond dispute. 
Full of grace and motion, and played as it is in 
the gathering dusk rapidly darkening into gloom, 
the game presents a weird, unconscious beauty 
suggestive of elfland. 

The children form an half circle, holding hands, 
and move slowly toward the fireflies, singing in 
a monotonous chant, an Indian song of which the 
following is a fairly good translation : 
"Firefly, firefly, bright little thing, 
Light me to bed, and my song I will sing; 
Give me your light, as you fly o'er my head, 
That I may merrily go to my bed ; 
Give me your light o'er the grass as you creep, 
That I may joyfully go to my sleep; 
Come, little firefly ! come, little beast ! 
Come, and I'll make you tomorrow a feast ; 
Come! little candle, that flies as I sing, 

64 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

Bright little fairy bug — night's little king; 
Come, and I'll dance as you guide me along; 
Come, and I'll pay you, my bug, with a song." 

While singing the children gradually approach 
where the fireflies are thickest. Often catching 
one, they hold it gently in their hands and carry 
it to their bed-rooms, where they set it loose as 
they get into bed, that it may ''light them to 
sleep." They are careful not to kill or hurt one; 
and the extreme gentleness of the pretty game is 
as pleasing as it is unexpected, in these children 
of a savage race. 



THE QUEEN'S CUP OF TEA. 

An easy chair and small table should be carried 
out on the lawn. Besides these you will need a 
large cup, saucer, spoon, empty tin can, a pillow, 
a shawl, and a gilt paper crown, or one made, 
turban fashion, of yellow tissue paper. 

The player representing the queen, or king, 
sits in the easy chair wrapped in the shawl, wear- 
ing the crown and resting his or her head against 
the pillow, looking as ill as possible. Beside or 
immediately in front of the chair is the table, 
containing the cup, saucer, spoon and can. 

We will suppose there are eight players in 
addition to the queen. These arrange themselves 
in two rows, perhaps ten feet away from the sick 
monarch, on either side, facing the center. 

6s 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

The four at the south side join hands, and 
keeping step, advance to the table, saying in con- 
cert, 

"Our good queen (or king) is very ill; and 
what shall we do for her?" and then return to 
their place, walking backward. 

The four players from the North advance and 
respond in concert, 

"Give her three good wishes, three red apples, 
and steep a cup of hot, strong tea." They then 
retire as did the others, walking backward. 

The four from the South again advance, ask- 
ing, 

"What shall we steep it in — this cup of hot, 
strong tea?" 

The north players advance and, pointing to the 
tin can upon the table, respond: 

"In the battered old tin can steep the queen's 
cup of hot, strong tea," and then both sides 
retire, walking backward. 

The south players advance, inquiring, 

"Of what shall we make this cup of hot, strong 
tea?" 

The North side advances, responding, 

"Of spices, roots and herbs, soothing and heal- 
ing, make our queen's cup of hot, strong tea." 

Both parties walk backward. Then the south 
side advances to the table. Player Number One 
on that side says : 

"I have brought a bunch of pennyroyal." 
66 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

If this is not the herb previously chosen by the 
north side players, they advance, shaking their 
heads and saying earnestly: 

''Pennyroyal will never, never do." 

The south side players advance and try again, 
in the same way, player Number Two saying, for 
instance, 

"I have brought a bunch of red pepper to make 
our queen's cup of hot, strong tea." 

"Red pepper will never, never do," replies the 
north side, in emphatic concert. 

Number Three, of the south side, says, 

'T have brought a bunch of sage," etc. 

If sage happens to be the herb thought of by 
the north side, the south side, having guessed it, 
has won the game; and for the next game the 
player in the north party, standing nearest the 
queen, must take her place, while the former 
queen becomes Number Four of the north side 
players. But if the south side players fail to 
guess the herb chosen by the other side, after 
each has had one guess, they lose the game. In 
either case, in the second game or round, the 
sides are reversed, the south side choosing the 
herb and the north side guessing. 

It is best for the players to partly memorize 
in advance a list of herbs and kinds of tea to 
select from, and if the list be a long one it makes 
the game so much the more interesting. Here is 
a list which might be used: 

67 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 



Red Pepper. 

Ginger. 

Mustard. 

Peppermint. 

Wintergreen. 

Pennyroyal. 

Catnip. 

Sage. 

Thyme. 



Parsley. 
Horse Radish. 
Wormwood. 
Hops. 
Spearmint. 
Dogwood. 
Sassafras. 
Slippery Elm. 
Oransre Pekoe. 



White Oak Bark. 
English Breakfast 
Young Hyson. 
Souchong. 
Imperial. 

Gunpowder. 

Old Hyson. 

Oolong. 



Forfeits may be introduced if desired. 

A hammock, if one happens to be swung from 
a convenient place on the lawn, makes an excel- 
lent substitute for the easy chair. The queen or 
king should not forget to help the illusion by an 
occasional dismal groan. 



A GIRLS' FIELD DAY. 

There is no good reason why the boys should 
give all the field days. Girls can do something 
besides sitting in a row, and applauding their 
brothers, and possibly giving out a few prizes. 
There are plenty of girls who love to do things 
in the open air, and when the spring has come, 
why should not some of them celebrate sports 
together, and invite their brothers to be onlookers 
and nothing more? 

The Field Day Committee, which should be 
organized at least a month before the event, 
should consist of two wise, play-loving fathers, — 
or uncles, — and two wise, play-loving mothers, — 

68 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

or aunts, — in addition to four girls. This group 
of eight can easily make all the preparations. If 
necessary it can be sub-divided into committees 
on judging the events and awarding prizes; on 
laying out the field, providing seats, etc. ; and on 
refreshments. If access can be had to grounds 
with a long driveway this will supply the run- 
ring track. Possibly the piazza might form the 
grand stand and the judges' stand as well. In 
front of the piazza a wire should be stretched 
eight or ten feet above the ground. All races 
end beneath this wire. Should the piazza not 
be large enough to hold all the guests, benches 
and chairs can be placed on either side of it. It 
is best for all the spectators to sit on the outside 
of the track, so that there may be a clear view of 
the races. As boys are fond of being carpenters 
on occasion, perhaps some of the brothers may 
condescend to build a special grand stand and a 
charming little judges' stand, with a roof or a 
big umbrella over it ; a Japanese umbrella would 
be attractive. Of course, the house and grounds 
should be decorated with flags and strips of bunt- 
ing, and with the club colors if the girls have, 
formed an athletic organization — say the Atlan- 
tides, in honor of the Greek girl who outran the 
youths. If a little orchestra will play on the 
piazza — or even if the orchestra is only one girl 
at a piano inside the house — Field Day will have 
more dash and excitement in it. 

69 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

There should be as many entries as possible. 
Girls who declare they can't even skip a rope 
should be urged to attend the preliminary meet- 
ing and hear the list of sports, some of which will 
be very easy indeed to train for. Here are some 
events from which to select : 

Races. 

(i) 100 yards dash for girls under twelve— 
and for girls over twelve. 

(2) 440 yards dash for girls under twelve — 
and for girls over twelve. 

(3) 100 yards skipping race on one foot for 
all comers. 

(4) 440 yards dash by pairs of girls hand in 
hand, for girls under twelve — and for girls over 
twelve. 

(5) 100 yards egg-in-spoon race for all comers. 
Each runner carries a tablespoon containing a 
hard-boiled egg. If the egg is dropped, or 
touched with a finger, the runner is declared out 
of the race. 

(6) Potato race. Six rows of twelve potatoes 
each, for all comers. 

(7) 50 yards blindfolded walking match for 
all comers. 

(8) 100 yards water-carrier race for all comers. 
Each girl carries an open quart tin pail brimful 
of water at the start. The winner is the girl who 
finishes with the most water in her pail. 

70 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

(9) 50 yards skipping race for all comers. The 
girl who stops skipping after the word go is 
barred out. 

(10) 100 yards doll-carriage race for girls 
under twelve. Each girls trundles a doll-carriage 
containing a large rag doll. 

(11) Paring potatoes. Care, as well as speed, 
must be taken into consideration. Time, ten 
minutes. 

(12) Half-mile bicycle race for girls over ten. 
Not more than three wheels in a race. 

(13) Pulling a flag up a pole in the quickest 
time, for girls over twelve. 

(14) 50 yards sack race on the grass, for all 
comers. 

(15) 100 yards wheelbarrow race for girls 
over twelve. Each girl must trundle a small boy. 
A stop, or an upset, bars out the racer. 

(16) 100 yards barrel-rolling race for all 
comers. 

(17) 100 yards hoop-rolling race for all 
comers. A hoop knocked flat is out of the race. 

Other Events. 

(18) Tug of war. 

(19) Throwing the beanbag- into a soap-box, 
at twenty feet. Each contestant is allowed ten 
throws. 

(20) A game of tag for ten minutes, in close 

71 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

boundaries. The winner is the girl tagged the 
least number of times. 

(21) Putting the heavy beanbag, for girls over 
twelve. A bag a foot square should be tightly 
packed with beans. The contestant must throw 
it from within a four foot circle or square. A 
croquet ball may be used instead of the beanbag. 

(22) Standing broad jump, for girls under 
twelve, and over twelve. 

(23) Running broad jump, for girk under 
twelve, and over twelve. 

(24) Backward standing broad jump, for girls 
under twelve, and over twelve. 

(25) Sideway standing broad jump, for girls 
under twelve, and over twelve. 

(26) Running high jump — over a piece of 
string — for girls under twelve, and over twelve. 

{t."]) The most graceful seesawing by a pair 
of girls. 

(28) Archery for girls over twelve. 

There should be three grown-up judges and 
one referee for each event, and for the races a 
starter, in addition. In certain of the races, the 
judges will do well to give handicaps, and to see 
to it that the contestants are about of the same 
age. 

Three o'clock is a good time to begin, and if 
there are not too many sports, the day might 
close with a basket ball, or base ball, game. One 
side should be the Blues, the other the Reds, and 

72 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

the audience should divide into two "colleges," 
and cheer. Girl ushers should show guests to 
their seats, and girl officials keep the track and 
field clear for the events. The ushers might wear 
a red ribbon badge showing the letter G. F. D. — 
Girls' Field Day — and a red ribbon in their hair. 
The track officials might wear similar badges and 
hair-ribbons of blue, and carry little gold-painted 
truncheons. The leading girl member of the 
committee should announce the events and pre- 
sent the prizes. These should be awarded after 
each event. They might be blue, red and white 
ribbons, apropriately marked, for first, second, 
and third places, respectively, or they might be 
genuine leather medals, tied with hemp string; 
tin ''cups"; bags of peanuts; sticks of candy; 
china dolls ; papers of pins ; spools of thread ; live 
kittens, with ribbons about their necks ; skipping 
ropes ; boxes of candy ; athletic books, or games ; 
bouncing balls, or a rubber football. Since it is 
probable that a number of girls will enter more 
than one event, there should be a special prize — ■ 
the best prize of all — for the girl winning the 
largest number of points. First place in any 
entry should count three points; second place, 
two points; and third place, one point. The 
record of each girl entering for all-round honors 
should be kept by the judges on separate cards. 
The committee should decide as to the order in 
which the sports are announced. 

73 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

As a successful Girls' Field Day draws near to 
a close, there may be a few jealous looks among 
the boys in the audience ; but their jealousy is 
quickly dispelled by the unfailing magic of re- 
freshments, at the end of the sports. 



FUN WITH A MINIE DART. 

Every boy who likes to whittle and shoot at a 
mark — and what boy does not? — will find pleas- 
ure in making and testing a minie dart. 

The only tools needed are a jack knife and a 
fine saw ; the only materials, a pine stick two feet 
long and a half-inch thick, two or three brads, 
a piece of stiff cardboard five inches wide, an 
ash stick three feet long and a piece of stout 
string. 

Whittle your pine stick perfectly straight and 
round, a little larger in diameter than a lead pen- 
cil. With the saw cut a slit in one end about 
five inches deep. Now take the piece of card- 
board, cut it in the shape of Figure i, and insert 
it lengthwise in the slit. Tack it on firmly with 
two or three brads, clinching them on the other 
side. 



Figure 1. 

After this is done, balance the dart carefully on 
your knife-blade to find the "center of gravity," 
and at the point where it balances, cut a notch 

74 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

slanting away from the card end. Be sure to 
cut the notch exactly in the right place, or the 
dart will not work. It must not be cut at the 
middle of the stick, or near the end, but just 
where it balances. 




Now your dart is complete. Next, you want 
a lash with which to throw it. For this, a piece 
of pine or spruce might possibly do, but the ash 
is better because it is more springy. 

Cut this about three feet long, the diameter 
of a whip handle, easy to hold, but thin and 
springy, tapering toward the end. 

Take a piece of stout string about two feet 
long, tie a knot at one end, and fasten the other 
to the small end of the stick. 

You are ready now to try shooting the dart. 
Hold it with the left hand, near to the tail or 
cardboard end, holding the whip in the right. 
Throw the string over the dart and draw it 
through the notch until it catches on the knot. 
Then with a quick upward motion, switch the 
whip into the air, letting go of the dart at the 
same moment. The dart will leave the string 
and soar high into the air. 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 



The lighter the dart is made, and the more 
springy the whip, the higher the minie dart will 
fly. By careful aiming and practice, it is said 
that a player may become very expert in hitting 
a mark; but until you do, it is best to practice 
at a safe distance from windows and other break- 
ables, including people's heads, as the dart often 
flies with considerable force. 




COLLECTING KNOTHOLES. 

Few of us have escaped the craze for making 
collections of one sort or another — be it paint- 
ings, china, foreign curios, postage stamps, but- 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

terflies or birds' eggs, stones, shells, or mosses; 
but did you ever hear of a collection of knot- 
holes? 

If you live near a saw-mill or lumber yard you 
can spend many pleasant half-hours in making 
a collection as pretty and interesting as it is 
unusual, by picking up the bits of wood con- 
taining knotholes. There is a beautiful variety 
of markings and colorings in the irregular pieces 
of wood. 

Some will have the knots in them, others only 
the holes with the soft shading of color around 
them. You will find red knots and yellow knots, 
brown knots and knots that are almost black; 
smooth knots and twisted knots ; knots with bark 
on, and knots with bark off ; knots with markings 
like animals' or people's faces, knots with deli- 
cate spider-web traceries, and knots like pictured 
landscapes, with trees, mountains, streams 
waves, cascades, church spires ; there is no limit 
to the variety. 

When you have selected a good number, saw 
each piece into a little square block with the 
knot or knot-hole in the center, or, if not skilled 
with the saw, you can probably get some friendly 
expert to do this for you. Then, at your leisure, 
you can smooth the edges with a jack knife and 
sandpaper, glue the blocks neatly together, with 
an eye to the best color combination, and you will 
have a really beautiful mosaic. 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

Children will especially enjoy making such a 
collection, if encouraged by some one older who 
can lend a hand when required ; and besides de- 
veloping taste in arrangement, they will learn 
much regarding the different kinds of wood, 
while gaining both health and happiness in the 
process. For such reasons a country home near 
a lumber yard or saw-mill would be a good place 
in which to entertain a child visitor from the 
city. 



GAME OF MAGIC LADDER. 

Standing in a ring, the children begin counting 
as follows : 

The leader says, "One I see," the next player 
says, "Two I see," and so on till the number 
seven is reached. The seventh player, instead 
of pronouncing the magic number by saying, 
"Seven I see," says, "I go up one round," and 
starts to run round the circle, on the outside. 
The next player continues, "Eight I see," the 
next, "Nine I see," and so on up to the next mult- 
iple of seven. The first runner tries to get around 
to the starting point before "fourteen" is reached, 
[f unsuccessful, the runner is out of the counting 
part of the game, and though remaining in the 
circle, must turn and face the outside. When 
"fourteen" is reached, this being twice seven, 
the player, instead of saying, "Fourteen I see," 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

says, 'T go up two rounds," and starts to run 
around the circle before *'Twenty-one," the sig- 
nal for "going up three rounds," is reached. 

Each player having a multiple of seven, speaks 
accordingly, and runs once around the circle; 
but those who should be runners sometimes fail 
to quickly recognize the fact, in which case they 
must turn around and forfeit their count for the 
rest of the game. The game thus goes on till 
only one, the winner, is left facing the center. 



NUTS IN MAY. 

Among the old English folk-singing games this 
is one of the liveliest, and is still a favorite where 
known. The players form two long rows, facing 
each other, advancing and retreating alternately. 
They draw a boundary line on the ground be- 
tween them, and sing as follows: 

FIRST PARTY. 

*'Here we come gathering nuts in May, 
Nuts in May, nuts in May. 
Here we come gathering nuts in May 
On a cold and frosty morning."* 

SECOND PARTY. 

"And who have you come to gather away," 
Gather away, gather away? 
And who have you come to gather away 
On a cold and frosty morning?" 

*Tune, "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush." 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

FIRST PARTY. 

"We've come to gather (name) away," etc. 

SECOND PARTY. 

"And who will you send to fetch her away, 
etc. 

FIRST PARTY. 

"We'll send (name) to fetch her away," etc. 
The two players named stand with their feet 
touching the boundary mark, and pull against 
each other, assisted by those behind, till the at- 
tacking party have succeeded or failed in drag- 
ging the player they ask for over to their side.* 



CHILDREN'S DAY IN OLD ROME. 

The Festival of the Secular Games marked the 
close of one "age" or seculum, which in Rome 
was a period of one hundred and ten years. The 
fifth celebration occurred in the time of Augus- 
tus, in the year of the Building of the City, 737, 
or about 17 B. C. It was in the opening days of 
the month of June. For weeks before the time 
all Rome had been on tiptoe, and as the third 
day of June drew near the excitement of the 
children was intense ; for that was Children's 
Day — the crowning time of the whole pageant. 

Not a boy or girl in Rome but knew the mean- 
ing of the festival which no one could expect to 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

see twice. They had been told how the founders 
of the Republic, ages before, had decreed, out of 
praise to the gods for blessings received and for 
protection granted, that at the completion of each 
seculum Rome should celebrate the event by 
joyful thanksgiving, by sacrifices to the gods and 
by a splendid display. 

Already for two days had the great celebration 
been going on. Before midnight on the thirty- 
first day of May there had been a constant suc- 
cession of ceremonies and processions, bonfires 
and illuminations, choruses and games, altar- 
building and statue-raising, laughter, song and 
praise. Each day and night had been set apart 
as sacred to some one of the immortal gods of 
the Romans. Honor was paid to the three Fates 
who were believed to govern the lives of men ; 
to Jupiter, greatest among gods ; to the daugh- 
ters of Juno, the patronesses and guardians of 
womanly strength and beauty; to Juno herself, 
the splendid "queen of heaven ;'' to the Earth, 
the mother of all things; and to Apollo and 
Diana, the brother and sister deities — the one 
the god of the sun and the day, the other the god- 
dess of the moon and the night. 

It was to this brother and sister — to Apollo 
and Diana — that Children's Day, the third of 
June, was sacred ; and because the future of 
Rome itself, its greatness and its glory, must 
depend upon the children of Rome when they 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

should have grown to manhood and womanhood, 
the celebration of Children's Day was deemed 
by the priests and rulers the most important of 
the three days' festival. 

Every boy and girl in Rome was up early, as 
may well be imagined, on that bright June morn- 
ing. The light breakfast of bread and grapes v/as 
eaten more hastily than usual, and soon all Rome 
was in the streets; boys and girls, men and 
women, citizens and countrymen, all hurrying to 
get the best positions from which to see the great 
procession. From the palaces on the Palatine 
and the wretched hovels in the Suburra, the over- 
crowded ''poor quarter" of the city; from the 
homes of the tradespeople near the Cselian Hill; 
from the long street of houses near the city gate, 
and from scattered villas and farmhouses beyond 
the walls, they came. 

Let us blot out, in imagination, all obstacles of 
time and space, and take our position at the top 
of a colonnade on the Temple of Victory, in the 
broad Area of Apollo on the Palatine Hill. Here 
we can obtain the best view. 

As this is a festival of gratitude for the pros- 
perity of Rome through the age which has just 
closed, it calls for the very best Rome has to 
show, and in this procession will appear repre- 
sentatives of the highest rank. 

Hark ! here it comes — the loud blast of the 
trumpets as the pageant winds slowly down the 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

Sacred Street. Now it swings around into the 
Street of Apollo and passes under the noble arch 
upon which stand the beautiful figures of Apollo 
and Diana, carved from a single block of the 
whitest marble. 

First comes an ''urban cohort" or squad of city 
police, led by its captains or prefects, to clear the 
way; next, the public trumpeters, signaling the 
advance ; then a company of mounted praetorian 
guards, the Emperor's especial soldiers, resplen- 
dent in brilliant uniform, their spear-tips glisten- 
ing in the bright June sunlight. Following them 
march the bearers of the standards and the sacred 
images; and then, surrounded by his guards, the 
first man in the Empire, Octavius Augustus, 
Emperor of Rome — the ender of the Republic, 
the beginner of the Empire, the chief and central 
figure in the Roman world. At the altar of 
Apollo he offers up the sacrifice, consisting of 
cakes and flour and cheese prepared for this 
especial ceremony; and the throng is again in 
motion. 

Here come the two consuls for the year, next 
to the emperor the chief officers of the state. 
Six hundred senators, Rome's best and most 
illustrious men ; a long line of priests belonging 
to the four "sacred colleges ;" then the seven 
famous Vestal Virgins, guardians of the sacred 
fire that must never go out. 

Following the vestals come one hundred and 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

ten of the highest-born matrons of Rome — one 
for each year in the ''age" celebrated. And fol- 
lowing them — do you not hear the singing? — the 
fifty-four selected children of Rome, the life and 
joy and flower of this splendid Children's Day 
procession. 

At their head walks the world-famous poet and 
singer, Quintus Horatius Flaccus, whom all 
Rome knows by the more popular name *'the poet 
Horace." By him was written, especially for 
this occasion, the song of victory, praise and sup- 
plication, the whole seventy-six verses of which 
the children know by heart. 

Twice up and down the Sacred Street, from 
the Capitol to the Temple of Apollo, moves the 
beautiful procession — guards, trumpeters, stand- 
ard-bearers, emperor, consuls and senators, 
priests and vestals, noble mothers, boys and girls ; 
the children clad in snow-white tunics, crowned 
with flowers and waving their garlands and lau- 
rel branches. At the shrine of Apollo they cast 
down their choicest flowers until the white mar- 
ble is almost buried beneath the fluttering rose- 
leaves. Before the statue of Diana the girls dance 
and sing; and as the procession moves away, the 
last sound to be heard in the distance — the sweet- 
est music of all — is the clear voices of the fifty- 
four strong young singers, as the words float 
back to us: 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

"Hail, Apollo! sheath thy arrows; be thou gen- 
tle, kind and free ; 

O, thou glorious! O, thou just one! hear the 
boys who pray to thee. 

Hail, Diana ! queen of heaven, wearer of the cres- 
cent flame ! 

Sovereign lady, kind and gracious, hear the girls 
who call thy name. 

We are Romans ! All men fear us, — Mede and 
Scythian, Goth and Gaul ; 

Where our eagles fly, we conquer ; Rome is ruler 
over all. 

We are Romans ! may we never fail our love to- 
ward thee to show ; 

Ever be in war victorious, lenient to the pros- 
trate foe. 

O, ye gods, who made Rome mighty! grant to 
us, thy girls and boys, 

Helpful youth, an age of quiet, health and wealth 
and countless joys. 

Grant that faith and peace and honor, virtue, love 
and truth adorn 

All our lives ; while gracious Plenty bears for us 
the o'erflowing horn." 



8s 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 




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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 




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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

SWEDISH WATER SPORTS. 

In Sweden everybody takes a keen interest in 
sailing, swimming and water sports of all kinds. 
In fact, swimming is part of the national educa- 
tion. Nearly every man and woman in Sweden 
can swim, and numbers of them are as much at 
home in the water as ducks. It is a curious fact 
that in every province diplomas and degrees for 
superior swimming are given by the educational 
department of the government. These "candi- 
date" and ''master" degrees, as they are called, 
are greatly coveted, and the day on which they 
are awarded is made one of the popular national 
festivities. 

If you were to visit Stockholm on the nth of 
August — the annual ''degree day" — you would 
see an array of exciting sports. Various water- 
games are played, including diving and swim- 
ming contests in which not only young men, but 
those sixty years of age, often compete for the 
prizes. Tub-races, where everyone can swim 
well, are not so dangerous as they look, and are 
comical in the extreme. The racers sit upright 
in the tubs (if they can !) paddling with hands 
and feet. The tubs often turn over, spilling the 
racers out, and it is in these sudden upsets to 
which every aquatic Diogenes is liable, rather 
than in the progress of the tubs, that the excite- 
ment and fun consist. 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

The European water-circus, and our water- 
polo, both arranged with the aid of tanks, prob- 
ably had their origin or suggestion in the lakes 
and rivers of Sweden, Perhaps a partial de- 
scription of the water-circus may be of interest. 

Into an ordinary circus ring are brought sec- 
tions of an iron tank, which are fitted together, 
locking tightly. Then a huge roll of rubber is 
tumbled into this tank, and spread out to make 
the bottom of the lake thoroughly water-tight. 
A bridge, usually with double arch and central 
platform, which has been suspended overhead 
with trapeze bars, etc., is now lowered and fitted 
across the lake. On one side of this manufac- 
tured lake is a series of embankments, rising to 
the musicians' gallery. Suddenly, when all is 
ready, there is a rush of water from under the 
gallery, and a fine cascade, flashing rainbow-like 
in the changing hues of electric light, pours in a 
foaming torrent into the lake below. 

When the tank is quite filled, a skiff, containing 
a young man and a young woman — who seems 
much afraid of the water — makes its appearance, 
the young man rowing with an air of conscious 
elegance and dexterity. A group of dancers 
comes skipping over the bridge, followed by vari- 
ous picturesque groups of pedestrians. Then a 
delightfully solemn, matter-of-fact squire ap- 
pears, fishing-pole in hand, and casts his line with 
every sign of lively expectancy. Presently he 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

has a most remarkable bite, tugs at his pole, and 
raises to view a tremendous fish, whose strug- 
gles spatter the occupants of the skiff and excite 
the fisherman so that he finally loses his balance 
and falls from the bridge headlong into the water. 
Other catastrophes, includinfi the overturning 
of the skiff, follow thick and fast, but an exceed- 
ingly fat policeman, in an inflated rubber suit, 
finally serves as a life-preserver, and in the 
midst of the confusion a great spurt of water 
rises from the centre of the bridge, lighted by 
flashes of colored fire, and with this sudden and 
graceful fountain, the water-circus is at an end. 



PRINCE THISTLEDOWN'S JOURNEY. 

The children stand in a circle, and each is num- 
bered. One of them is provided with a small 
feather. When the numbering is finished, all 
join hands and begin moving around, singing in 
concert : 

"Prince Thistledown is riding to town 
While bright and fair is the weather, 
He wears in place of a golden crown 
A velvet cap with a feather."* 
Then the players stand still, and Number One 
asks: 

"Who saw Prince Thistledown?" in reply to 
which Number Four says: 

* Tune, "Weevily Wheat." 
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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

"I saw Prince Thistledown." 

"Where did you see him?" inquires Number 
One again, and Number Four replies : 

"Going east," or "south," etc., according to 
preference. 

Immediately the one holding the feather must 
toss it up into the air and blow it in the direction 
named as that of Prince Thistledown's journey. 
The other players try, by blowing or fanning the 
feather whenever it comes near them, to keep it in 
the air without touching it. When in spite of all 
their efforts it finally alights, the one nearest it 
must pick it up and hold it, while the players 
circle around as at first, singing, "Prince Thistle- 
down is riding to town," etc. The same dialogue 
follows, only this time Number Two is the ques- 
tioner and Number Five replies. Next time it is 
Numbers Three and Six; and thus the game con- 
tinues. 

If Prince Thistledown be started in a different 
direction almost every time, as northwest, north, 
southwest, etc., it will add to the interest in chas- 
ing him. The breeze may take a hand in the 
game, also, and make it more exciting, as at any 
moment it is possible that the fairy prince may 
be swept out of view altogether. When this hap- 
pens, the one last holding him must pay a forfeit. 



91 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

TURN-PIKE-LOO. 

On the way to the picnic, when the ride is in a 
wagon, stage or omnibus, in the country, an 
amusing game is Turn-pike-loo. The players 
divide themselves into two sides, right and left, 
including the driver. Each side names and 
counts all animals passed on that side — a dog, 
cat, sheep, cow, pig, horse or domestic fowl 
counting one; a man, woman or child, five; an 
animal with a bell, fifteen ; an animal looking out 
of a barn or stable window, twenty; and a baby 
in a farmhouse window, fifty. 

The game is two hundred. The driver, of 
course, tries to pass all animals upon his side; 
but the leader of the other side may get out and 
spoil the driver's plan, at times, by chasing and 
coaxing the creatures over to his own side. This 
adds to the interest, and the game usually grows 
exciting, the amusement of the players being 
only equaled by the surprise of the live stock at 
such peculiar anxiety regarding their mode of 
progress. 

FLOWER PARADE. 
It was the first of May, in New Orleans — 
months after the festivities of the Mardi Gras. 
The roses were in full bloom, and their fragrance 
was everywhere. May Day, as you know, is 
a time of blossoms in great profusion in that 
semi-tropical region. 

92 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

A parade is always dear to the Creole heart, 
and this one included more than fifty carriages 
and floats, each covered with flowers and repre- 
senting the interests of some special orphan asy- 
lum ; for the plan had its charitable as well as 
its aesthetic features. The procession was to 
form near the Fair Grounds, and to the carriage 
voted to be the most beautiful was to be given, 
for its asylum, the proceeds of the day. 

The first carriage was a veritable bower of 
morning glories ; two rosy-cheeked girls with 
flower-decked parasols were driving, surrounded 
by a cluster of wreathed and garlanded children. 
Next came a float decked with airily festooned 
vines falling in green profusion over a group 
of woodland nymphs and their queen on a mossy 
throne ; the entire color scheme being of green. 
Following this was a carriage with delicate pink 
blossoms, ribbons and draperies ; then one whose 
rich, velvety red roses were massed in countless 
numbers around the dark-eyed little maidens 
who occupied it. A carriage followed with the 
daintiest arched background covered thickly with 
small blue flowers, very like forget-me-nots, con- 
trasting prettily with the golden curls of the oc- 
cupant. There were carriages and floats with 
tulips, with carnations, with pansies, with roses 
of every hue ; but the carriage winning the prize 
was one where the central figure holding: the 
reins sat beneath an immense Easter lily, her- 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

self a veritable flower of whiteness and purity — 
a gauzy white scarf floating from her shoulders 
— while half a dozen young girls, crowned and 
winged, were grouped about her. Every part of 
the carriage — wheels, body, top and seats — 
seemed made of lilies, and the very trappings of 
the horses glistened like snow in the sunlight. 
Through all the procession were mingled the 
faces of smiling children so interwoven with the 
flowers that one could hardly tell where the hu- 
man blossoms left off and the others began. 

While such an entertainment is of course elab- 
orate, it is one to be long remembered, and would 
be appreciated in any place or season where flow- 
ers and sunshine can be relied upon. 



SUNRISE LAWN PARTY. 

The pretty little church building was now com- 
plete. Everyone was proud of it; but thus far 
there was only bare ground where its velvety 
lawn ought to be. 

This would not do at all, so a few of the wise 
ones put their heads together, decided upon a 
plan, and issued an invitation like this: 

LAWN PARTY. 

You are cordially invited to attend a lawn party 
in front of the new chapel, on Thursday at 5 
A. M. Gentlemen will please each bring a rake 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

and a hoe. Refreshments will be served by the 
ladies as fast as merited. Be punctual or you will 
miss the best part of the fun. 

Yours sincerely, 
Committee on Good Times. 

Everyone was suitably impressed. On retir- 
ing Wednesday night even the sleepy-heads set 
their alarm clocks for an hour so early as to rival 
the birds' first songs ; for was not this Staten 
Island, and must there not be time allowed first 
for the lawn party itself, then for the guests to 
make themselves presentable for breakfast, fol- 
lowed by the usual hour and a half's trolley and 
ferry travel to the city business office? In any 
suburb less remote, the festivities could have 
been arranged to begin at half-past five, or even 
six. Not so here. 

Thursday morning dawned bright and clear — 
a perfect June day; and from all directions, as 
the clocks pointed to five, could be seen brave 
knights sallying forth with weapons that might 
well cause Mother Earth to tremble if she had 
been hoping to remain undisturbed. None of 
these amateur gardeners would have made a 
good subject for Edwin Markham's genius, for 
all looked as if they were bent on having a par- 
ticularly jolly time. 

And they had it. Grass seed and fertilizer, 
spades and forks were on hand, and with the 
help of an experienced master of ceremonies, the 

95 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

lawn party was soon under way. Some of the 
smaller gardeners, from ten to twelve years of 
age, were among the most enthusiastic, and be- 
fore the clock struck six the chapel grounds be- 
gan to show signs of some time being a credit to 
the community. 

Coffee and sandwiches kept the workers from 
famishing until they could reach home for break- 
fast, and when, two weeks later, the lawn be- 
gan to robe itself in visible garments of fine lux- 
uriant green, all voted the unique lawn party a 
great success. 



LITTLE WAVELETS.* 
For this little motion song there should be an 
even number of small children, wearing white 

HEAR 




FRONT LINE 



caps, and either long white nightgowns or tissnr 
paper dresses of sea-green or blue, with stockings 

* For music, see page 192. 

96 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

and slippers, if possible, of the same colon 
Whichever plan is chosen, all should be dressed 
alike, and the caps are indispensible. 

The children should march in from the rear 
on lines as shown in A, forming by twos on lines 
R and L, turning on front as shown by arrows. 
After forming on front line, a signal is given to 
halt. In marching and in halting there should 
be kept a distance of at least fifteen inches. 
Another signal is now given to face front. 

Song with gestures : 

I. Once I got into a boat — (this line should be 
sung by the two center ones). 

Such a pretty, pretty boat — (all together, with 
emphasis on ''pretty," holding out hands and ex- 
pressing as much as possible in face). 

Just as the day was dawning; (point as if to 
horizon). 

And I took a little oar, 

And I rowed away from shore, (rowing move- 
ment all together, having imaginary oar at each 
side) 

So very, very early in the morning. 

Chorus : 

And every little wavelet had its nightcap on, 
(at word nightcap all place right hand to side of 
head, touching cap with tips of fingers, and then 
catch strings, which should be hanging loosely, 
and hold out in graceful position through rest of 

97 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

chorus. All through the chorus the children 
keep up a swaying, undulating movement, turn- 
ing slightly from one side to the other, crossing 
the right foot in front of the left and replacing it, 
in time to the music.) 

2. In their cave so cool and deep, (stoop over 
and peer as if looking in cave and point with right 
hand, turning facing diagonally to left. Rise at 
the word "deep" and show how deep the water is 
by holding up right hand, then drop hands to 
side and face front.) 

All the fishes were asleep. (Here they should 
slowly drop the head forward, inclined a little to 
one side so that the face can be seen, but all in 
same direction. Children will do this very natur- 
ally, as they relax so easily.) 

Save when the ripples gave them warning. (Ex- 
tend right hand forward to right, and give it a 
ripple movement while extending it by raising 
and lowering wrist and fingers, which should be 
closed, alternately.) 

Said the minnow to the skate, 

"Do not lie abed so late," (these two lines 
should be sung by two center children, and while 
singing second line each should shake her fore- 
finger reprovingly at the other.) 

So very, very early in the morning. (All to- 
gether.) 

Chorus. 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

3. Said the sturgeon to the eel, (by two on 
each end of line) 

''Just imagine how I feel (all together, showing 
great languor.) 

Pray do excuse me for yawning (all together 
yawning placing the right hand to mouth.) 

But these folks should let us know 

When a-rowing they would go (these two lines 
should be sung by two in center.) 

So very, very early in the morning." 

Chorus. 

A signal is now given, and they turn facing as 
before. Another signal is then given for them 
to march to lines **R" and "L" on dotted lines, 
and out on diagonal lines as on entering. 



TOM, TOM, PULL AWAY. 

The children stand in a line, except one who 
stands facing them a little distance away. When 
ready the rest call out to him, "Tom, Tom, pull 
away!" and "Tom" accordingly starts to run, 
not away from them, but towards them, his ob- 
ject being to break through the line and reach 
!^ the goal at a stated distance beyond. The other 
players try to prevent him, and it must be a very 
agile and determined "Tom" who succeeds in 
eluding or overcoming his would-be captors. 

LofC. 99 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

"Is that all there is of the game?" I asked of 
the one who described it to me. 

"That is all, and " his eyes twinkling with 

recollection, "you would find it quite enough!" 



MORNING-GLORY HOUSE. 

It stood a little back from the road, on a small 
but well-kept lawn — this dainty little Morning- 
Glory House — and from the rippling laughter 
and sounds of children's voices was evidently the 
scene of a delightfully informal reception, though 
of this no glimpse could be had until one had 
passed the thickly shielded side and approached 
the front entrance. 

Yes, there, inside, was the little hostess in a 
pink dress, looking much like a morning-glory 
blossom herself, and two other little girls with 
their dolls, all of whom were chatting merrily — 
even the dolls, for they were of the talking va- 
riety. It was easy to see that everyone was hav- 
ing a thoroughly good time, and no wonder, in 
such a charming place. 

It is so little trouble, comparatively, to build 
such a playhouse, that I wonder that we do not 
see more of them. This one was perhaps eight 
feet square. It had the simplest of frames, much 
like a grapevine arbor, with peaked roof and open 
front and rear. The small maiden who reigned 

100 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

as undisputed queen of the household took a live- 
ly interest in the setting up of the frame, you may 
be sure. When that was complete she planted 
the morning-glory seeds herself, and then those 
wonderful builders, Messrs. Sun, Rain & Co., fin- 
ished the work by putting on all the weather- 
boards and shingles required, and painting the 
house green outside and inside, with decorations 
that appeared as if by magic, new every morning. 
This bit of history of the building of Morning- 
Glory House I learned while making my call at 
the larger dwelling, and before leaving I could 
not resist taking a nearer peep, although the re- 
ception was nearly over, and the delicate pink, 
blue and white decorations were invisible at that 
hour. Such a cozy nook! Yes, it pays to have 
playhouses, and you will find in the following 
articles directions for building a whole quartette 
of them. 



MOSS COTTAGE. 

All houses, whether of wood or stone, are the 
cleaner for a shower, but it is the moss cottage 
that a shower makes as good as new. 

A little girl with a convenient big brother, in 
scrambling over the "pudding stones" back of 
the mountan cottage, came upon a flat-topped 
rock, which looked as if it were meant for some- 
thing besides a chipmunk's feasting ground. 

lOI 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

After a charming little afternoon tea, served on 
the rock one day, with some velvety green moss 
as a tablecloth, the next idea was a moss cottage, 
and in this the big brother's help was enlisted. 
They built a three-sided wall of stones about four 
feet high and five feet long. The stones were 
of the kind that is covered with gray lichens — 
a moss that does not quickly fade. After the 
stones were set carefully in place, the cottage 
was roofed over with boards, covered first with 
tar paper, then with a thick layer of black mold. 
The top of this "chocolate layer cake" was moss, 
laid evenly and pressed down firmly. 

The freshest pieces of moss were taken from a 
ledge where a stream dashed over. The front 
of the cottage was left open, and on the earthen 
floor was laid a thick birch-bark mat bordered 
by moss. 

The furniture of "Moss Cottage" included a 
neat little cupboard made by fitting shelves into 
a soap-box and tacking a curtain of green cloth 
to the open front; also a toadstool table made 
by fastening a round piece of board to a section 
of a silver birch. 

There were half-a-dozen kinds of moss on that 
cottage roof — dark green moss that might have 
been a fairy forest, lighter green moss that grew 
up in firm cushions, bluish gray moss that looked 
delicious enough to nibble. 

In digging the moss, care was taken to leave 

102 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

as much mold as possible clinging to the roots; 
and the very first morning after the house was 
built, the mosses were accustomed to their 
strange beds and began trustfully stretching out 
rootlets. All summer long they were green and 
fresh, for when storms were far between the 
watering pot was turned into a rain cloud. 



PINENEEDLE COTTAGE. 

The house was a piano box, but the children 
rested on a soft floor of pineneedles. 

The front of the box was knocked out. Two 
long boards were nailed together to form a letter 
L, with the ornaments left off. The L was 
turned upside down, and a second L was made, 
precisely like the first one. The two L's were 
nailed to the upper front corners of the box. 
Then a board was nailed across the upper front 
corners of the L's, and there was part of the 
framework of the porch. Other boards were 
nailed from one L-top to the other, about two 
feet apart, and soft evergreen branches were 
woven in and out among the crosspieces. Then 
a pile of branches was laid on top of the box — 
and when this was done the children sat in their 
cool green bower as happy as birds in a nest. 

When the evergreen turned yellow and dry, it 
was cleared away, the roof covered with a piece 
of canvas painted green, and the piazza posts 
103 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

and the outside of the piano box painted, too. 
Then the children could spread pretty green 
things on their roof, as often as they chose, and 
have the fun of clipping the evergreen with their 
own hands. Riding on a wheelbarrow on top of 
evergreen boughs is much nicer than ordinary 
play. 

The family of Pineneedle Cottage paid a visit 
to the wallpaper man, who was glad to give his 
little friends a book of paper samples. A play- 
house wall covered with twenty or thirty squares 
of different kinds of paper is much more interest- 
ing than the common, one-pattern kind of wall. 
This is what the cottagers thought. Each had 
favorite patterns, and those patterns which none 
liked were covered over with Christmas cards and 
pretty pictures cut from magazines. 

Furniture was to be found, for the nursery 
chairs and tables were too good to leave out- 
doors. Three nail kegs, with their upper front 
portions sawed away, were made into easy chairs, 
and covered with dark green cloth. 

Mamie wanted a writing desk more than any- 
thing else, so on a soap box foundation was set 
an egg box in which the cardboard compartments 
were the pigeonholes. The egg box was set on 
its side, and to its lower edge a board was fas- 
tened by hinges. Lots of letters were read and 
answered at the little desk that summer. The 
postoffice was a hole in a cherry tree. 
104 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

The table, on which both mud-pies and real 
cookies were served, was a board hinged to the 
back of the cottage. It could be propped up by a 
stick. Once in a while Eason stubbed his toe 
against the prop in the middle of a meal, and 
something happened, but no one minded much. 

Dewdrop's doll hammock was swung from the 
piazza roof, and when the children from across 
the street were invited to dinner a soap box was 
spread beneath it. 

A piano box is not large, but when the easy- 
chairs, the desk and the table were in place there 
was still room for corner shelves, a tiny mantel 
and a box sofa. 

A light shower hurt neither cottage nor owners, 
unless one of the children happened to sit under 
a certain crack in the cottage roof. 



HIGH-UP HOUSE. 

Twelve feet from the ground two big branches 
formed a V lying down. I say "big branches," 
for the supports of a tree-house must be strong 
indeed. Other supports were three floor beams 
of ash. Pine could have been used instead ; oak 
would have been better. They were six inches 
wide and eight inches thick. The part of the 
beam that rested upon the branch Brother hol- 
lowed out with a chisel and drawknife to a depth 
of four inches. It was not easy to cut into the 
105 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

hard wood. The beam nailed nearest the point of 
the V was three feet, the middle beam four feet, 
and the outer beam five feet across. 




No. 1. The Frame. 

A pulley and endless rope were rigged up for 
an "elevator," as Eason called it. The pulley was 
screwed into a limb over the V. Eason, on the 
ground, sent up lumber to Charles and brother, 
astride of the V. From the shortest beam to the 
longest one was a distance of eight feet. Because 
long boards were not easy to find, and that it 
might be very firm, the flooring was laid in three 
sections, separate pine boards, each an inch thick 
and six inches wide, being nailed from beam to 
beam. 

The outside boards were shaved even with the 
branches. 

A steamer deck or a Robinson hut without a 
rail would be a dangerous place. The boys spent 
their third day of work in putting up a railing. 
''Slow work?" Just wait until you haul all your 
lumber up a pulley elevator and balance yourself 
on a limb to do your nailing. 
io6 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

Four posts of pine, each two and a half feet 
high and three inches thick, were screwed, not 
nailed, to the four corners of the flooring; that is, 
each post was screwed to the side of the outside 




"Hzl^ 



-\ --» ^ v -~ 




No. 2. Floor. No. 3. Rafters. 

board, the beam, and the branch itself. The lower 
part of the post was cut to fit the limb. Two more 
posts of the same size were nailed between the 
four first ones, and planks six inches wide (you 
may have wider ones on hand) were nailed from 
post to post to serve as the railing, or rather 
fence. .Of course there was no rail on the narrow 
end of the V. Here a ''back" door was hung. It 
was made of three ten-inch planks, cleated, hinged 
and fastened with a hook and staple. 

"We must have a rainproof roof," said Brother j 
"one that won't blow away nor leak very much." 

Eason procured long pieces of pine an inch 
thick, which he cut into four three-foot lengths. 
These he nailed as posts to the corners of the 
railing, leaving a length of two and a half feet 
from the railing top to the top of the posts. The 
gable ends of the roof were pieces of pine half an 
107 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 



inch thick, nailed on a slant against the eight-foot 
ridgepole of inch pine, an inch square. 

You will notice the central supports of inch 
square pine, shown in the diagram (Fig. 5). 



rv: 



JaLn^iL 




No. 4. Seat. No. 5. Roof Timbers. 

There is no use in telling just how long were 
these slanting pieces, for the front of the hut was 
narrower than the rear. Some people will tell you 
that a gently sloping roof is comfortable and firm ; 
others will say: ''Your roof-end should be the 
shape of a thin piece of pie." Pieces of molding 
were nailed from one roof-post to another, on 
front and sides, and smaller pieces, six of them, 
were nailed from the ridgepole to the long side- 
poles. 

Brother tacked a sheet of canvas eight by thir- 
teen feet, to the ridgepole, the seven small pieces, 
and the side pieces. Thefivefeet of canvas to spare 
were neatly folded back on the roof until an awn- 
ing was needed to protect the "Robinsons" from 
the rain. And pieces from the same old sail were 
cut into two triangular awnings to fit the open 
gable ends. The boys might have nailed thin 
108 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

boards to the framework, covering the boards 
with tar paper; but it so happened that the old 
sail was lying useless in the attic. Or they might 
have been satisfied with a roof of leafy branches 
or evergreen. The canvas was painted a dark 
green, to match Old Buckeye's suit. 

So the house was built. Eason called it "Rob- 
inson Roost," but Charles preferred "Highup 
House" as a name. Most houses, as you know, 
are not really built until they are furnished. And 
furniture costs money.. Charles and Eason spent 
not a cent on theirs. A sprinkling of sweet-smell- 
ing pine needles; then a layer of old comfort- 
ables; last of all blankets; what Brussels carpet 
could be more soft? Chairs were boxes painted 
green and backed with pine boards screwed in 
place. Both chairs and tables were given legs by 
sawing them on four sides. 

The dining table was three feet high and three 
feet square. The pantry was a box three by two 
feet, fitted with shelves and curtained with the 
same kind of green cloth that covered the table. 
Dishes were wooden pie plates, and nicked sau- 
cers, which hold the same tasty jam, pickles, 
candy and cake that eggshell china holds. There 
was a set of tin Cock Robin picnic plates, too, 
which Brother donated, and a broken-nosed teapot 
that poured milk instead of tea, and a set of cups 
and saucers that were horse-chestnuts — "buck- 
eyes" — nicely hollowed out by Charles. Charles 
109 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

also carved a set of wooden knives and forks. 
The forks had but one prong each, but that didn't 
matter. He thought making spoons 'was too 
much work." 




iio 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

There are several ways of reaching Highup 
House — that is, if you are invited to make a call. 
If you are not, you'd better stay away. Mickey 
O'Sluggerum, who lives over in Parrow street, is 
not likely to forget the afternoon he tried to 
*'burgle" Robinson Roost. He thought no one 
was at home, for the boys, four of them, kept still 
as mice. When he had clambered almost to the 
front door — well, he went home very wet, indeed. 

"Any way, Mickey did need a bath," was how 
Eason explained it. 

But about climbing up. You can swing your- 
self upon that low branch, and from there go up 
three flights of branches to the third story, or you 
can pull yourself up, hand-over-hand, on a knot- 
ted rope. Or you can climb up the rope ladder 
it took two weeks to make. If you splice a rope 
ladder, the rungs had better be of hickory — say, 
pieces of old broomsticks. The part of the wood 
where the rope fastens should be notched all the 
way round, to prevent slipping. 



FAIRY BOWER. 

A place twelve feet square was marked oflF. 

Four heavy cedar stakes, each two feet long 

and three inches thick, were driven into the 

four corners of the square. Then this big 

III 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

square was made into four smaller ones by driv- 
ing five more stakes — one between each pair of 
the others, and one in the middle. Five inches of 
each stake were allowed to stick out of the 
ground. The children pounded with the big mal- 
let until they had to sit down and fan themselves. 
Dewdrop saved all her strength for the middle 
stake — "the lucky one" she called it — and what if 
the grass was hit oftener than the stake? 

Brother nailed twelve boards, each six feet 
long, from stake to stake — on top of them, of 
course. The boards were of pine, an inch thick 
and three inches across. When the boards were 
nailed the frame of the "deck" looked like this : 



R 



^ 



[:i 



M 



xti 



ss 



The next thing to do was to nail boards on the 
frame. The deck might have looked a little better 
if the boards had been of the same length; but 
surely you wouldn't buy wood when you have 
packing boxes in the cellar. 

112 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

It will require eighteen boards eight inches 
wide, or twenty-four boards six inches wide. 

It's not so easy to find forked poles as it might 
be. Eason spied the first one. He was always on 
the lookout for bean-shooter crotches. It lay in 
the brush heap, and would have been in Emily's 
stove within half an hour if the little chap hadn't 
rescued it. 

"The poles must be ten feet long," Brother told 
Eason, ''because we must drive them three feet in 
the ground. That will make our new house seven 
feet high — high enough for this six-footer to 
stand up straight in." 

Four more poles, these thirteen feet long, were 
laid in the forks, or across them. White birch 
poles would have been prettier. Little carpen- 
ters and the big one went in to supper hungry 
and happy. 

The next day they tied string and string and 
string ''from pole to pole," as the geographies say, 
and from the end poles to tiny stakes in the 
ground. Heavy wrapping twine was used — thin 
strings break easily. In the center of each "end" 
of the bovv^er Brother fastened a hoop with an 
upper and a lower string. When the strings 
around them, long and short ones, were rightly 
tied, the hoops were ready to become windows 
through which the children could peep when the 
vines were grown. 

113 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

"We're just like fairies," said Dewdrop, in a 
serious voice. "First we turn into carpenters, 
and then into spiders ; and now we're going to 
be— to be " 

"Gardeners," finished Brother. (The strands 
of the web were a foot apart.) "Eason, where are 
your toy shovels and rakes?" He took from his 
pocket a gayly colored envelope. "These," he 
went on, "are the seeds of the beautiful Mexican 
moonflower, a kind of morning-glory. We will 
get a spade and make a narrow bed on each side, 
and plant the seeds in a raked-over spot beneath 
the strings tied to stakes. We will scatter the 
seed, and will rake dirt over them. The blue and 
white flower moons will be 'full' in July. At the 
four corners of the playhouse we will plant roots 
of the Virginia creeper, and soon the lovely sway- 
ing tendrils will be shaking hands with the moon- 
flowers." 

Dewdrop laid some of the seeds in their beds 
with her own dainty hands. April showers and 
May sunshine gave the vines all the help they 
needed. Such a cool bower as the playhouse was 
in July ! Sometimes the rain pattered through 
the leafy roof, but the floor was soon dry. 

The children gave a "housewarming" when 
the flowers were out and the handlike leaves of 
the creeper were many. They served honey on 
butter plates, and cakes on grape leaves, and the 
favors were moonflowers. 
114 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

A little guest named Elwyn wanted to know all 
about Fairy Bower, Dewdrop's name for the new 
playhouse. 

"Many vines besides the moonflower," Brother 
told the little boy, "would clamber quickly oyer 
the cottage. You could plant them on three sides 
of your bower if you wanted to." He jotted down 
on a piece of paper several names of quick grow- 
ers, among them balloon vine, wild cucumber, 
hop, Madeira vine and several kinds of morning- 
glories. He also wrote names of roots to be 
planted at the corner posts. Some of these names 
were clematis, or virgin's bower; Cobsea scan- 
dens (a queer namej, Wistaria, and trumpet 
creeper. "Next year," said Brother, 'Ve will 
plant different quick growers at the same time. 
A cake always tastes better for having different 
spices in it. You can get many quick growers for 
five cents a packet. Yes, I have bought twelve 
kinds of morning-glories for fifty cents. When 
did we plant the seeds? O, the last part of April. 
In Massachusetts, where you go every summer, 
May 10 would be soon enough. Good-bye." 



ICE-BOATING. 

Swift motion, smooth ice, and freedom from 
smoke, cinders and other evidences of man's pres- 
ence, combine to cause one traveling on an ice- 
boat to feel that he is skimming through the air 
115 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

instead of along the earth ; while the absence of 
effort on his part and of artificial means of pro- 
pulsion only serve to increase the illusion. He 
feels, as one writer puts it, "acutely ethereal." 

Northern Europe is the original home of the 
sport. In Holland, for hundreds of years past, 
boats have sailed over the ice of the canals. The 
people of that country use them for business 
rather than pleasure. Sledges laden with corn, 
flour or wood may often be seen there, sliding on 
the ice, their sails set to the wind. Wealthy men 
of St. Petersburg sail their ice-boats on the Baltic. 
In Switzerland, on the great lakes of Sweden and 
occasionally on one of the frozen lochs of Scot- 
land, the boats appear. 

But perhaps some of my readers do not know 
what an ice-boat is. Briefly, it is a triangular 
timber framework, with a tall mast rising from 
the front of the frame. It is placed upon three 
steel runners, all long and curved fore and aft; 
the after one acting as a rudder. This rudder 
skate is turned by a tiller and must be very sharp 
to obtain a grip on the ice. 

To steer an ice yacht requires a calm disposi- 
tion and a quick eye, for the slightest touch of 
the tiller will spin the boat around; and unless 
the helm be turned gradually the yachtsmen will 
find themselves overboard. The helmsman takes 
his place at the farthest point aft, and he has an 
exciting time when the boat "lifts" or "rears," as 
ii6 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

frequently happens under pressure of high speed. 

A favorite place for ice-boating near Chicago is 
at Madison, Wisconsin. There is a stretch of 
twelve miles for a run with the wind on the quar- 
ter, and expert sailors on a windy day gather an 
astonishing rate of speed. An ice-boat is literally 
swifter than the wind, for it does not sail directly 
before the wind, but always at an angle, and there 
is so little friction that the forward impetus re- 
ceived from every thrust of wind against its sails 
does not go to simply maintain the rate of speed, 
but to increase it. 

Lake Minnetonka and Lake Geneva are also 
known to have their regular winter visitors who 
have reduced frozen-lakemanship to a science. 
Ice-boating is common on the northern Missis- 
sippi, while on the Hudson the ice-boaters race 
the New York Central trains every day. In good 
winds the boats win. 



AL VERDO. 

This is an Italian game meaning "the green." 
The children meet on the playground, each one 
holding a piece of cauliflower leaf, and all enter 
into a solemn agreement to "play fair." After 
that day, whenever two or more of them meet, 
they shout "Verdo !" and must each show a piecQ 
of cauliflower leaf. If a leaf looks suspiciously 
dry it is taken from its owner and tried on a wall ; 
117 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

if it leaves no green mark, its owner has to pay a 
curious forfeit. At Easter he must bring to the 
other a Colombina (a dove) made by the bakers, 
with a dyed egg in the middle of it. One little 
girl had to pay several of these forfeits, because 
she called out ''Verdo!" many times, and when it 
came time to produce the cauliflower leaf found 
that she had left it in her other dress pocket. 



DUCKS AND DRAKES. 

In this old-world game the player takes a flat 
stone or piece of slate or earthenware, and casts 
it along the surface of a pool. The greater his 
dexterity, the greater number of times will the 
missile, as it travels, rebound from the water. 
The formula is : 

"A duck and a drake, a nice barley cake, 

With a penny to pay the baker, 

A hop and a scotch is another notch, 

Slitherum, slatherum, take her !" 

Played in another way, the "duck" is a large 
stone supporting a smaller one called the drake. 
The children playing endeavor to knock off the 
drake by flinging a stone at it, called the duck- 
stone, crying at the same time, 

"A duck and a drake, and a white penny cake, 
And a penny to pay the baker." 

ii8 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

"Duck on the Rock," a game played in New 
England in my own school days, was doubtless a 
variation of the one above described, or of the 
following one, both of which are said to have 
been common in London more than a half-cen- 
tury ago: 

One player places his duck on a brick or larger 
stone, or in a hole, and the others try to knock it 
off or out. Should a player miss he must be 
careful in picking up his stone again, lest the 
sentry "tick" (touch) him before he can return to 
the mark from which the stones are thrown. 
Should he be touched, he must replace the other 
as sentry, and place his own duck to be thrown 
at. If the duck be displaced the players may pick 
up their stones at their leisure, for no one may be 
'"ticked" until the duck is replaced by its owner 
in proper position. 



A "WINTER-JOKE" WALK. 

Go out for a long walk some bright, crisp day 
in February, when the sunshine whispers jolly 
messages of Spring's approach, not so very far 
away; and as you walk, search out the dainty 
little bell-like blossoms peeping above the snow, 
called by the Danes the "Vinter-Gjaeks," or "win- 
ter-jokes." We call them snowdrops; but they 
are, indeed, merry little "winter-jokes," because, 
119 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

sent by Winter to herald Spring's coming, they 
roguishly hoax people into thinking, long before 
the time, that Winter has gone. 

It used to be the custom in Denmark, when these 
early pet blossoms appeared, to gather and send 
them in valentines, with verses signed by just as 
many pin-pricks as there were letters in the send- 
er's name. If the one who received the valentine 
could not guess from whom it came, he or she 
was "gjaekket," or fooled, and at Easter must pay 
a playful penalty by carrying to the sender a 
present of colored eggs. 

Here are three of the Danes' little Vinter-Gjaek 
verses : 

I. 

Though a child of Winter's cold and storm, 
Yet I bring to you love-greetings warm. 

From whom? Ah, yes. 

That you shall guess ! 
And, that you may the sender surely know, 
Count all the little pin-pricks signed below. 



2. 

Little maiden, fair and neat, 
Here on stalk so light. 

Fine as silk by fairies spun, 
Hangs a snowdrop white. 

From a friend I come, — 

Tell me now — from whom ? 

1 20 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

3- 

Farewell to Winter! now farewell — 

We snowbells ring his dying knell. 

And had you but a fine, fine ear, 

That could our fairy chiming hear, 

Then should you know which friend so true 

Has sent this Vinter-Gjaek to you ; 

For ever softly do I ring 

The name of him whose love I bring. 



CARNIVAL OF THE SEASONS. 

The carnival should be held in the early Fall, 
when foliage is still to be had to represent Spring 
and Summer, but not too early for fruit for the 
Fall booth, together with Autumn leaves, pump- 
kins, corn husks, etc. 

The Spring booth should have all the tender 
green stuff available for decorations; apple 
boughs with pink and white tissue paper flowers 
to represent the blossoms ; possibly a fun-making 
frog-pond instead of the old-time fishing-pond, 
each tissue-paper frog to contain a gift worth the 
full amount paid for opportunity of choice. Only 
young girls, daintily dressed, should care for this 
Spring booth. 

Summer will suggest itself with a wealth of 
flowers ; canned Summer berries and evaporated 

121 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

fruits of the Summer order would be in place; 
and the booth should be presided over by ma- 
trons. A miniature haystack with hidden needles 
to be extracted by means of a magnet would af- 
ford a bit of fun. A sub-department with Sum- 
mer vegetables for sale might be profitable. 

In the Fall booth, as previously suggested, 
should be all kinds of Autumn fruits, pumpkins, 
etc., with cornhusks and Autumn leaves for deco- 
rations. There could be a nut sale also. 

The Winter booth could be decorated with cot- 
ton batting, sprinkled with diamond dust. An 
open fireplace with big logs might be simulated ; 
apples, popcorn balls and other things suggestive 
of Winter should be sold. In this booth none but 
gray-haired matrons should preside. An old- 
fashioned candy-pull could be carried on in one 
corner at so much a head for the privilege of shar- 
ing labor and spoils. 



GAME OF MAGIC SQUARE. 

Take seventeen straight sticks, of equal length, 
perhaps three feet long. Lay them on the grass 
or ground so as to make a figure like No. i. 

Then, while someone counts twenty, a player 
rapidly walks (or runs) around this "magic 
square" and tries to remove five of the sticks in 

122 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 



such a way as to leave three perfect squares. This 
seems simple enough, as shown in No. 2 ; but not 



everyone can solve the puzzle in so hurried a trip, 
and frequently several players have to try before 
the correct method dawns upon anyone. Even 
then agility is necessary. If the sticks and con- 
sequently the figure proves to be of such a size 
that counting twenty gives too much time, or not 
enough, a different number may be chosen, the 
one familiar with the game privately testing in 
advance to see how long it takes to go around, al- 
lowing for spasmodic "grabs" at the sticks as the 
runner proceeds. 

As this is really more of a puzzle than a game, 
the one familiar with it should of course not allow 
himself any part in the game except as manager. 

123 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 
SNOW FORTS. 

Eight boys of the real, genuine kind were they 
— the kind to whom snow appeals as a new sort 
of world-stuff, all ready for an artist builder's 
great achievements or a general's stirring battles. 
When I passed them first they were rolling the 
snow into huge balls and gradually collecting 
them into a piled-up wall that began to take cir- 
cular form. But when I returned they had their 
fort all built, and the former architects were now 
dauntless soldiers, eager for the fray. Four were 
inside of the fort, with snowball bullets flying 
vigorously through the air in the direction of the 
enemy outside, while from the determined eyes of 
all flashed fire that, had there only been time, 
would have melted the snow. 

The aforesaid enemy, consisting of the other 
four boys, were equally vigorous in their attacks 
on the walls of the fort. Again and again they 
advanced, only to be beaten back. At the risk of 
having my new hat decorated with the snowy 
missiles, I had to stop and watch them. Two of 
the besiegers crept near and tried to tear a hole in 
the fort, while the other two kept up the firing 
from a distance. Inside the defenders hurriedly 
patched the broken places as fast as made, send- 
ing the white bullets thick and fast and occasion- 
ally "washing the face" of a too daring besieger. 
Finally, the store of ammunition inside the fort 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

was nearly exhausted. I think the besieging 
party would have won — but, alas for them ! just 
then the school-bell rang ! 



GAME OF RED-LINE. 

A goal is chosen which must be in a straight 
line, as the edge of the sidewalk or street. From 
this goal, which is called the red-line, a child who 
has been chosen "it" starts and, crying "Red- 
line !" runs after any of the other players until he 
has touched one. Then, with the one he has 
touched, he returns to the goal. These two, clasp- 
ing hands, start out again and touch someone else. 
Then these three return to the goal and, in a line 
with hands clasped, try to touch another player. 
When four, or an even number, are in the goal, 
they may go two by two, but when there is an 
odd number they must all run together in one 
long line. 

So it continues until all are caught. Then the 
game is begun again, the first one caught in the 
last game playing "it" in the new game. 



WINTER SPORTS OF SWEDEN. 

Besides the yachting, which is one of the popu- 
lar national sports, the most frequent outdoor 
amusements of the Swedish Winter are "skee- 
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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

ing," or skimming over the snow on snowshoes, 
and skating. 

In the country districts men and women alike 
are skilled in the use of snowshoes. They are 
trained to it from childhood, and there is no more 
vigorous or exciting exercise. Boys and girls, as 
soon as they are old enough to skate, put on skees 
of a suitable size and are quite as agile and daring 
as the older people. It requires nerve, skill and 
muscular strength to skee well, and persons who 
have never tried it find much difficulty in manag- 
ing the queer footwear. Skillful "skeers" can 
make a mile in two minutes, and the jumping rec- 
ord is seventy feet. 

Skating also is a pastime indulged in by all 
classes in Sweden. In the cities rinks are 
equipped with music and many attractions. In 
Stockholm there is a general skating club, with a 
rink accommodating 6,000 skaters, and the popu- 
lar fetes given there at intervals during the Win- 
ter are attended by the royal family and regarded 
as important social occasions. On the numerous 
lakes hundreds of people will gather as early as 
four o'clock in the afternoon — for it gets dark 
then — and spend the entire night skating by 
moonlight. Fires are built in convenient places, 
both for the crowd and for small individual par- 
ties, who bring luncheon with them and have a 
picnic in the snow at midnight. How they feel 
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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

the next day is not recorded ! but the Swedes are 
a robust people, and play as vigorously as they 
work. National and international skating con- 
tests are held in various parts of the country, and 
the winners in the local tournaments, both for 
speed and fancy skating, are sent to Stockholm to 
compete for the grand prizes with the best skaters 
of Norway, Denmark, Russia and Northern Ger- 
many. 

An ice carnival held one bright midwinter day 
in Douglas Park, Chicago, was no doubt similar 
to those of frequent occurrence in Sweden. The 
condition of the ice was perfect, the pond being as 
smooth as a board. As the large crowd glided 
hither and thither to the music of the United 
States Junior Band, keeping perfect time to its 
rhythm, the scene was most picturesque. In the 
course of the afternoon a skating contest was 
held, with an exhibition of fancy skating by a 
winner of many medals in Switzerland, who 
showed the admiring crowd some new evolutions 
and was cheered roundly for his graceful clever- 
ness. Another, a famous Swedish skater, also 
performed some astonishing feats. Douglas Park 
has been the scene as well of a masque carnival 
on the ice, and altogether Chicago bids fair to 
rival even Stockholm in her fondness for the 
sport when the ice is in condition. 



127 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 
CHECKER LEAPFROG. 

The following curious game must be a fun- 
producing one : 

Taking a hint from the rajah in Hindostan, find 
a level field and lay it out like a checkerboard, in 
sixty-four three-foot squares. Place a stone in 
each square which is not to be used. Have a 
Checker Picnic and turn boys into checkers. Let 
three people on a side, boys and girls equally, do 
the actual playing; that is, stand on boxes piled 
one on top of the other and order their players 
where to move. When a jump is made, the 
proper "piece" should leap over the piece he is 
capturing. Pieces not in use should seat them- 
selves at the ends of the board. 



IN BUBBLETOWN. 

Out in the shade of the young maple trees, 
Kissed by the sun-glints and fanned by the 

breeze. 
Treasures there were that a king might enjoy, 
Well might he envy each small girl and boy. 

Dainty white bowls in a prim little row. 
Can you imagine them long staying so? 
Seven — just one for each wee, roguish elf. 
Even the baby could reach for himself. 
128 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

What were the treasures? Ah, that you must 

guess ! 
Glittering jewels — most frail, I confess — 
Spheres full of brightness, that grow and expand, 
Worlds strangely peopled, as large as your hand ! 

Rainbow-hued balls, that dance lightly away, 
Sparkling with fun and the charm of the play, 
Tempting each frolicsome child to a chase. 
Leaving all else for the fairy-like race! 

Now in the air one will dreamily float. 
Sailing away like a magical boat. 
Now, in a chain, for a moment appear 
Thrice intermingled, these gems crystal-clear. 

W^hat if one air-castle vanish away? 
Children are wiser than we in their play. 
Build they another, their fancy to please, 
Kissed by the sunlight and fanned by the breeze. 



129 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 




Fig. 1. Fig. 2 

FLOWER DRILL. 
For Small Children. 

The stage for this drill, unless it can be given 
out of doors, should be decorated to represent the 
woods in summer. 

At the rear of the stage Jack-in-the-Pulpit 
should stand in his pulpit, and give commands. 

Jack should be dressed something like a sprite 
in w^hite tights, and have long, pointed ears and 
sylph-like wings. 

The pulpit should represent the flower "Jack- 
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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

in-the-Pulpit." This should be constructed of 
white and green tissue paper over a wire or light 
wood frame. It should stand at rear of stage as 
shown in A. Jack should be stooping down in 
the flower, then stand up, look around, and then 
sigh. On seeing no one he should say : ''Oh, my ! 
(sighing again) I am so lonesome since the 
fairies have all gone away. I believe I will call 
the flowers and leaves, and have some sport with 
them." He blows a small whistle which should 
be concealed in a trumpet flower, whereupon the 
music begins, and an equal number of boys and 
girls skip in, dressed to represent flowers and 
leaves. Each little girl should be dressed to rep- 
resent a different flower, her skirt being made of 
the petals as shown in Fig. 2, and carrying a gar- 
land of the flower she represents. Each girl 
should be accompanied by a boy dressed in green 
tights, and sandals, and carrying a garland of 
leaves (Fig. i.) The flowers and garlands can 
be made of paper. 

When Jack blows his whistle the flowers and 
leaves skip in with arms down at side (Fig. i), 
and follow lines as shown in A, girls on left and 
boys on right. The stage should be laid off as 
shown in diagrams to prevent mistakes in march- 
ing. 

When the leader reaches the lines R and L 
they should all turn and bow, the girls curtsey, to 

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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

Jack, saying: "Good day, Master Jack-in-the- 
Pulpit," who should bow in return, and throw 
kisses to the girls. They then turn to the front 
and begin fancy step, following lines R and L in 
A. Extend inside foot (foot towards partner), 
and touch toe to floor, raise inside arm diagonally 
up inside, outside arm across body, first count; 
place foot flat on floor, and bring rear beside it, 
arms straight forward to front, and then straight 
beside head, second count. 

Repeat this to opposite side and continue alter- 
nating until the front line is reached, when the 
skip step is resumed. They follow lines shown 
by arrows and come down lines R and L from 
rear in B, with same fancy step. They begin the 
fancy step on command, "Fancy step, March!" 
from Master Jack. "Fancy step," being the pre- 
paratory command, should be given some time 
before the executive command, "March." The 
skip step should begin to slow up on the first 
command so that they change smoothly in the 
fancy step on command "March !" 

On reaching the front line in B, they turn by 
twos, first couple turning to right on front line 
and next to left; they continue alternating in 
this manner and continue touch step with inside 
arm held up in same position as in previous fancy 
step, only grasping partner's hand. 

When the first couples reach the cross line (F. 
132 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

S. in C) Jack gives the command, "Change!" 
They let go hands, and as the outside foot is 
pointed to the floor the arms are reversed, third 
count; hold, fourth count (the touch step is the 
same as before) ; repeat same to inside, fifth 
count, and sixth count; repeat same to outside, 
seventh and eighth counts. When the first cou- 
ple reach the front line Jack gives command, 
''Company Halt!" All should halt at the same 
time, keeping the regulation distance of a little 
more than arm's length from the one in front, 
which should be retained all through the drill. 

After they have halted and brought heels to- 
gether, this series of exercises is begun: 

I. 

Those on center lines turn back to back. 
Those on outside lines turn facing center. All 
turn together on command from Jack, "Face! 
March r 

All charge forward with right foot, both arms 
straight forward shoulder high, first count; let 
go right ends of garlands, second count; grasp 
end of partner's garland in left hand, third count ; 
bring forward foot back beside rear foot, straight- 
ening knee and arms down at side, fourth count. 

II. 

Arms towards rear of stage straight forward 
and beside head, first count ; reverse arms, second 
133 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

count; reverse, third count; arms down at side, 
fourth count. 

III. 
All right arms up shoulder high to front and 
beside head, first count; reverse position, second 
count ; reverse, third count ; all arms down at 
side, fourth count. 

IV. 
All left arms straight forward and beside head, 
first to fourth counts. 

V. 
Repeat 11. first to fourth counts with arms 
towards front of stage. 

VI. 
All arms toward rear of stage straight beside 
head as before ; all arms towards front of stage 
shoulder high at side, first count; reverse, second 
count ; reverse, third count ; arms down at side, 
fourth count. 

Repeat beginning opposite arms, first to fourth 
counts. 

VII. 
Both arms shoulder high to front and charge 
straight forward with right foot, first count; let 
go partner's garland, second count; grasp end of 
own garland, third count; bring heels together 
and arms down at side, fourth count. 
Arms straight beside head, signal. Drop gar- 
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EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

land around neck as a boa and place hands on 
hips, second signal. Turn facing front, third 
signal. 

Command from Jack, "Company, Forward 
March !" They march, turning right and left by 
twos on reaching front line. On reaching rear 
line they grasp partner's hand, keeping outside 
hand on hip and resume the skip step. They fol- 
low lines as shown in D, and exit by twos. 




REAR LINE. 



R. 


X 


L. 



FfiONT LINE A. 



FRONT LINE 



a 



135 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

REAR LINE REARji^UNE 




PIC-PEG-PIN. 

A great game for hilarious fun is this ot Pic- 
Peg-Pin, and will be enjoyed by boys and girls of 
all ages from six to ninety. Take nine sticks 
two feet long, sharpened at one end; put the 
pointed ends in the ground, forming a diamond, 
with each peg two feet from its nearest neigh- 
bors, and make a taw line about twenty feet from 
the nearest point of the diamond. 

All the women and girl players form one side, 
and the men and boys the other. The boys 
choose a First Lady, who is to lead their oppon- 
ents, and the girls choose a First Gentleman, who 
commands the men. Supplied with three short 
clubs, the First Lady toes the taw line, and in 
three successive throws tries to knock down all 
the pegs. Her score is recorded, the pegs reset 
and the First Gentleman takes his turn with the 
clubs. When all have had a turn the individual 
136 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

scores are compared, and the right arm of each 
man or boy is bound with a handkerchief to the 
left arm of the woman or girl whose score most 
nearly approaches his own; then the First Lady 
and First Gentleman choose up for sides, each 
taking a couple at each choice. 

In the order of their score number the couples 
now take their turn pitching clubs at the pegs, 
the man of necessity using his left hand and the 
girl her right in throwing the clubs, which they 
do simultaneously. 

The scores are again compared and the couples 
bound into fours, then the fours into sixes, etc., 
until each side is bound into a continuous line 
with only the left hand of the end man and the 
right hand of the end girl to pitch with and make 
the final score. 



A LAWN "GYPSY CAMP." 

Dotted about on the spacious lawn were eight 
small canvas tents, and as the occasion was in- 
tended to help in raising funds for the new 
library building, the tents contained attractive 
displays of various kinds calculated to bring forth 
the shekels. One was a refreshment bazaar, one 
a fancy-work tent; in one, labeled "Sweets for 
the Sweets," flowers and confectionery were com- 

137 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

bined. A fourth was devoted to guessing con- 
tests, which in that locality were very popular. 
These included, for example, How many beans 
in a certain pint jar? How many seeds came 
from a given pumpkin ? How many seeds from a 
certain dozen lemons? with a prize for the best 
Yankee guesser. Another tent contained bric-a- 
brac, another, stationery and games; and in one 
were exhibited artistic groups and mountains of 
the proposed library books and periodicals. Each 
was visited in turn by the interested guests, 
whose patronage was not disappointing, and 
when they reached the central tent, where was 
an amateur but quick-witted "palmist" in gypsy 
costume, few could resist having their fortunes 
told and being more or less impressed by the 
aptness or absurdity, as the case might be, of the 
predictions. The g}'psy costumes could be mul- 
tiplied, in an occasion of this kind, to as great an 
extent as desired. 



ROOF-GARDENS. 

Away across the seas and back through the 
centuries, a curious thing was done. It was in 
France, in the time of the great emperor Charle- 
magne, that one summer after a long war, the 
housetops suddenly bloomed out into gardens. 

They were vegetable gardens, it is true, but 

138 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

picturesque enough for all that. It was done by 
command of the emperor, who saw that crops 
must be grown quickly, or a famine would be 
added to the other disastrous effects of the war; 
so he ordered that every household should plant 
gardens, and even gave minute instructions 
where, and what seeds to plant. 

As the houses were built mostly with thatched 
roofs, it was only necessary to make little holes 
in the thatch, plant the seeds or seedlings, and 
leave them to the sun and rain. The earth in 
the thatch was soil sufficient, and while the 
ruined vineyards and orchards were being gradu- 
ally replaced, the roof-gardens yielded quick re- 
sults that kept the people from starving. Even 
to-day one may often see in Europe thatched 
roofs gay with flowers, or covered with grass on 
which a goat may be seen feeding. 

It is only of late that America has taken the 
hint and improved on the primitive custom so 
that many cramped dwellers in cities have been 
kept from mental and spiritual starvation by the 
sunshine, better air, and delight to the eyes af- 
forded by the modern roof-gardens planned by 
some of the college settlements. The large flat 
roofs of the most unattractive piles of brick and 
stone have been made to blossom into beauty. 
Potted plants and boxes full of growing things 
are placed around the edges, and in the center is 
139 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

room for seats, and various pleasant, restful con- 
trivances for the toilers, not forgetting a chance 
for the children's playthings. A glimpse of the 
happy faces at the Philadelphia Settlements roof- 
garden will convince all of its value ; and an idea 
as to its varied uses may be gathered from a 
few words quoted from one most familiar with 
the workings of the plan : 

"The Roof-Garden has been in constant use. 
English classes meeting there found mental ex- 
ercise far easier on the hot nights, dramatic re- 
hearsals took a new vigor, business meetings of 
clubs cooled to a temperature below the wrang- 
ling point, the attendance at evening parties and 
the quiet hours of gardening, locally known as 
"planting," in which individuals and small groups 
among the children were allowed to assist, were 
full of pleasure." 

If this taste for gardening could be cultivated 
as generally among the children of our own land 
as in Germany and Sweden, we should be the 
gainers. In the latter country the school gar- 
dens have been remarkably successful. There 
the children are taught the best methods of gar- 
dening and a general knowledge of the cultiva- 
tion of fruits, vegetables, trees, flowers and 
medicinal plants, so that every boy and girl at 
the age of fifteen is supposed to be able to con- 
duct a garden in an intelligent manner. On cer- 
140 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

tain days of the year each child is provided with 
seedlings and garden seeds to be planted at their 
own homes, and the teacher is expected to en- 
courage them by exciting a rivalry among the 
scholars to see who can produce the best results. 
Our own Arbor Day, and the Nature Study 
now being taught in our schools, are steps in 
the right direction, but the Roof-Gardens afford 
perhaps the best opportunity yet devised for 
bringing, in some degree, a little piece of the 
country into the experience of those who need it 
most. 



MY FATHER AND MOTHER WERE IRISH. 

Circling around in a ring, with one player in 
the center, the children sing the song, and at the 
words "We put the pig in the parlor," the player 
in the center chooses one from the circle to keep 
him company. Again at the words, "I bought me 
a fiddle for fifteen cents," this player newly 
placed in the center chooses another; and that 
one, in turn, makes a choice at the words, "We 
put the sheep in the kettle." Finally, at the 
words, "And that was Irish stew," the circle 
breaks up, as each of the four players in the cen- 
ter makes a dash at someone, who tries to es- 
cape, and the play is merged into a ^rand four- 
fold game of tag. 

141 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

The song is familiar to almost everyone, both 
as to words and music. Following is the usual 
wording : 

My father and mother were Irish, 
My father and mother were Irish, 
My father and mother were Irish, 
And I am Irish, too. 

We put the pig in the parlor, 
We put the pig in the parlor, 
We put the pig in the parlor, 
And that was Irish, too. 

I bought me a fiddle for fifteen cents, 
I bought me a fiddle for fifteen cents, 
I bought me a fiddle for fifteen cents, 
And that was Irish, too. 

We put the sheep in the kettle. 
We put the sheep in the kettle, 
With praties and carrots and onions, 
And that was Irish stew! 



"SUGARING OFF." 

That is what it used to be called by those for- 
tunate ones whose homes were near groves of 
sugar maples, and who, early each spring, man- 
aged to stir a little sweetness into the dull round 
of farm work, by a grand excursion to the sugar 
camp. 

142 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

Even this was work, to be sure, but what fun 
the children found in it! 

To those unfamiliar with such scenes, the trees 
present a curious sight, with the sap dripping 
from them into pans set underneath. The trees 
have been "tapped," and the sap, thus set free, 
slowly trickles into the pans. Without waiting 
for them to become full, a man goes from one to 
another with a large pail, gathering up what has 
collected and emptying it into a huge kettle sup- 
ported gypsy fashion over a fire. Usually this 
cooking is done in the open air, but sometimes a 
rough shanty is built as a partial protection, 
called the "sugar-house." The process of boiling 
down is an interesting one. The sap becomes 
gradually a thick syrup, and then it is time for 
the dishes and spoons to come into play, for a 
great deal of tasting is necessary; in fact, the 
more children happen to be present the more 
necessary it becomes ! 

The amount of stirring in the kettle depends 
upon the result desired. It may be stirred only 
enough to keep it from burning, and when cooked 
sufficiently, poured into moulds to cool as solid 
brown bricks or cakes ; or it may be stirred until 
it "grains," a light brown, soft, sugary mass; or 
it may be poured out while still thin enough to 
remain in the syrup form. In any case, the im- 
portant part, to the children, is not the stirring 
M3 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

in the kettle, but in their individual dishes. A 
small quantity of syrup, if rapidly stirred at the 
right time, while cooling, will produce a creamy 
confection rivalling any candy, and this is what 
the children most appreciate. A saucerful is dealt 
out to each, and they work with a will, each try- 
ing to produce the whitest, most creamy falls. 
As I remember hearing one grown-up boy say, 
with a vivid recollection of his own stirring times 
— stirring in every sense of the word: "Maple 
sugar is the sweetest sweet that ever was sweet- 
ened. Honey cannot compare with it." 



PRINCESS TIPTOE. 

Standing in a line, the children preserve per- 
fect silence, while the leader says in an impres- 
sive whisper: 

"Hark, here comes the Princess Tiptoe." 

"Where?" asks the next player, also in a whis- 
per. 

"Here," answers the first one, and leaves the 
line to appoint two of the players as "guards," 
and then walks away on tiptoe. 

The whole line, excepting the guards, follow 
in single file, also on tiptoe, the leader gradually 
increasing her speed until all are running, but 
still on tiptoe. Any player discovered by the 
guards touching the ground flatfooted is "sent 
144 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

to prison," which is some chosen corner of the 
playground, and the last one left on tiptoe is 
declared the new Princess, when the game be- 
gins as before. 



WAR CANOE RACE. 

A fleet of Indian war canoes, just such as 
Champlain traveled in three centuries ago, make 
a fascinating sight when engaged in a hotly-con- 
tested race. Such a race was a part of the pro- 
gram of entertainment when the Duke and 
Duchess of York were in Ottawa, Ontario; but 
there are numberless small boys and girls, yes, 
and large ones too, who would enjoy such an 
occasion quite as well as royalty itself. 

Of course, one must actually travel in a canoe 
to appreciate it fully. Before the race, the ca- 
noes were made comfortable with buffalo skins 
spread over the seats, and the visitors occupied 
them with much satisfaction, as, manned by 
Indians in the brilliant costumes of voyageurs, 
they passed down the Ottawa side of the river, 
and stopped at Rockcliffe, at the club-house of 
the Ottawa Canoe Club. Landing here, the visi- 
tors remained to watch the race, which started 
at Kettle Island, half a mile below, and finished 
just opposite the club-house. 
145 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

It was a race for the championship of Canada. 
Seven crews competed, thirteen in each crew, and 
as the dripping paddles rose and fell, glistening 
in the sun, the boats were indeed a beautiful 
sight. The race was a close one, the fortunate 
canoe winning by only three feet. At the finish 
all the canoes were drawn up in line and the 
crews cheered lustily, waving their paddles in 
the air. 



A GIRL'S CAMPING OUTFIT. 

"Camping out" has become so much the fash- 
ion of late that the following advice by an expe- 
rienced camper will be welcomed by the many 
women and girls who are wondering what to 
take with them as preparation for such an outing: 

The sensible woman who decides to camp out 
should dispense with all the superfluities. She 
should get right back to first principles, and make 
the outing as complete a change as possible in 
every way. It does not matter whether the camp 
is to be in the mountains or woods or on the sea- 
shore, she should reduce her personal outfit to a 
minimum. This not only for economy's sake, 
but for comfort. The outing should be improved 
in every particular, and there is no common sense 
in trying to have things for show. Dainty mus- 
146 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

lin gowns are as much out of place in a tent as 
an elephant would be in a parlor. 

The first requisite to be thought about is shirt 
waists. Nice plain shirt waists of light weight 
flannel and dark in color. Two of these, with 
two or three cotton ones, also dark in color, for 
very hot days, should carry a camper through at 
least two weeks under canvas. The golf skirt 
settles the skirt question quite satisfactorily 
Two short skirts of dark linen, either in blue or 
brown, would be ample for wear with the cotton 
shirt waists. No white petticoats should be car- 
ried, but three dark washable skirts, which may 
be dropped into the tub without any thought. 

For shoes, the golf shoes are the best, while a 
pair of rubber boots should be added — the latter 
for wading and for rainy days in the woods 
Don't take an umbrella or a parasol. Take two 
old straw sailors and a mackintosh instead, and 
let the rain come down on them. One suit of 
heavy flannel underwear is a necessity, while a 
sweater will be convenient for cool mornings and 
evenings. A golf cape is desirable, to use for a 
rug if for nothing else. A soft hat of cotton or 
w^ool, with a stitched brim, is better than a cap 
for everyday wear, as it is cool and shades the 
cheeks as well as the eyes. The old sailors are 
for rainy days only, remember. Now all of these 
things will cost but a trifle, for as a rule the last 
year's shirt waists may be impressed into service 
147 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

for the cottons, and a couple of winter ones, 
cleaned and pressed, for the thicker ones. If sales 
are watched a very good pair of golf shoes may 
be bought for $1.50 and a pair of rubber boots 
for the same, or even less. A golf skirt would 
cost about $4.50, and a mackintosh the same. 

But the dress for camping, while it is import- 
ant, is not all that a girl has to consider. There 
are many minor points known to the seasoned 
camper that a novice would do well to grasp. 
These include tent accessories that help to make 
a cozy interior. The trunk in which the ward- 
robe is carried should have a flat top, one that 
may be utilized as a dressing table. A simple 
cover of cretonne, which may easily be removed 
when the trunk is opened, may be made at home, 
and the dressing table covered without delay. If 
the tent is large enough to bear being divided, 
shutting the cots from view, it would be well to 
take along flowered cotton curtains for the pur- 
pose. These may be strung on stout cord, which 
should be run in a wide piece turned down from 
the top. Should the tent be too small for this, the 
cots may be covered with rugs or whatever is 
most convenient. There should be at least one 
pair of heavy blankets, dark in color, and cush- 
ions, as many as one can afford. These should 
be covered with washable cretonnes or denim, 
so that they may be used without any worry 
about ruining them. 

148 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

The bathing suit of mohair may be home-made, 
thus reducing the cost materially. Flannel is 
considered much less desirable than the mohairs 
and the expense is greater. 

A suggestion for a camp refrigerator is to have 
a barrel sunk into the ground a convenient dis- 
tance from the tent. In this the supplies for 
the chafing dish should be kept; the canned 
things that have been opened and the condensed 
milk. 

Some teacups but no saucers, and an oil stove 
are necessaries which may be had for a trifle, and 
there should be tea, coffee, cocoa and lemons for 
variety in drinkables. The bicycle lamp which 
has ceased to do its original duty makes a capital 
tent light, and may be fitted to the tent pole as 
easily as it was once fastened to the front of a 
wheel. For extra light to be carried about an or- 
dinary tin candlestick with a candle and a glass 
lamp chimney will be found a great convenience. 
A half-dozen of these would be useful and might 
be easily carried. Of course teacups and cre- 
tonne curtains and refrigerators go hand in hand 
with camping out in civilized fashion. When a 
girl goes in for life in a hunting camp and really 
roughing it she takes but one golf skirt, two flan- 
nel waists, a single Tarn cap, a thick jacket, the 
golf shoes and rubber boots. Her other needfuls 
she folds into a dress suit case or a telescope, and 
149 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

in every particular declines to compromise be- 
tween town life and camp life. The bed of 
boughs is good enough then, and she goes to bed 
so early that the flames of the camp fire over 
which the game has been cooked are sufficient to 
light up the tent. Even in camping there are 
degrees, and a woman should consider well the 
fashion of the outing she is planning before get- 
ting the wardrobe for it. 



GYPSY DRILL. 




REAR UNL 



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FRONTLINE A. 



FRONT LINE ""^Q 



150 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

R^AR L1NZ 



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FRONT UN£ C 



This drill should be given if possible on a la'wn, 
the portion of which to be used should be laid 
off as shown in diagrams — with lime or other 
material. 

At rear, as shown in A, a tent should be erected 
and a large pot should hang on a tripod near by. 
The scene should be made to represent as nearly 
as possible that of a gypsy camp. 

An old gypsy woman should appear on the 
scene from the tent, poke the fire under the pot 
(which should be logs with red cloth or paper 
stuck in among them to represent fire) and stir 
the contents of the pot, after which she should re- 
mark, looking around : 'T wonder where the chil- 
dren are. Oh, children, children!" (Calling.) 

There should be an even number of boys and 
girls dressed in bright gypsy costumes, who 
should run in from behind bushes (or screens 
151 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

made of branches and flowers) and, follow lines 
as shown in A, beating their tambourines, which 
should be tied with bright ribbons to match cos- 
tumes. The boys should be dressed alike and the 
girls' costumes should be alike. They follow 
lines in A, running to music and beating their 
tambourines, turn on front line and then to rear 
again as shown by arrows, then on diagonal lines. 
When leaders reach R. and L., shown by cross 
marks, the old woman should give the command, 
''Company, Halt !" All should halt at same time, 
keeping the regulation distance from the one in 
front, which should be twenty inches. In order 
to do this the command should be given while 
either foot is in advance, then bring the rear 
foot up beside the one in advance, letting heels 
sink at same time and arms are brought down at 
side. 

The gypsy woman now goes to front of stage 
and makes this little speech: 

"Ladies and Gentlemen — I thank you for com- 
ing to see an old woman like me. We will try 
to make you enjoy your visit. First, the children 
will drill for love to show off. Then we will 
have something to eat which I have on cook- 
ing. (Points to the pot.) I will also tell the for- 
tunes of those who wish me to." (Holding up a 
pack of cards.) 

She then turns to the children and gives the 
152 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

command, "Forward, March !" The music should 
begin and the children do this fancy step with 
arm movements. Swing inside arm curv^ed over 
head, holding tambourine in inside hand and ad- 
vance inside foot (keeping knee straight) diagon- 
ally forward to inside and touch toe to floor, first 
count; swing inside arm out at side and down 
and hit tambourine with outside hand, second 
count ; grasp tambourine in outside hand and 
swing outside arm curved over head and ad- 
vance outside foot (after placing inside foot 
flat on floor and changing weight to itj and 
touch toe to floor, third count ; swing outside arm 
out at side and down ahd hit tambourine with 
inside hand, fourth count. Continue this, ad- 
vancing and follow lines in B. as shown by ar- 
rows. When leaders reach the lines R. and L. in 
going to rear the command is given, '^Direct Step, 
March!" and the music should begin to a com- 
mon march. The march should be begun by all 
at the same time, the same as in halting, and all 
place hands on hips. On reaching the rear they 
cross to opposite side as shown by arrows and 
come down diagonal lines again with "Swing 
Cross Step," hands still on hips. 

Advance inside foot diagonally inside and 
place on floor, first count; change weight to it 
and swing outside leg in front of it, keeping knee 
straight and toe turned out, second count; swing 
outside leg back to outside and place foot on 
153 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

tloor diagonally forward to outside, third count; 
change weight to outside foot and swing inside 
leg across in front of outside, fourth count. Con- 
tinue this step, which should be rather quick, and 
come down lines R. and L. in B. On reaching 
ends of front line the "Skip Step" familiar to all 
children should be begun. They skip on lines 
shown in C. and exit by twos. They soon appear 
again from the tent with small tin plates of cake 
and tissue paper napkins, also little fancy tin 
cups which the old woman fills from the pot. 
(This can be an ice or lemonade.) The children 
now distribute these among the guests, giving to 
each a plate, napkin, cup and spoon, if necessary. 
The cups should be decorated with gypsy scenes 
and can be carried home as souvenirs. After this 
drill there should be a splendid opportunity for 
any specialties to be introduced into the enter- 
tainment in the way of songs, recitations, dancing 
or playing on stringed instruments, but those 
participating should be dressed in gypsy cos- 
tumes and should be announced in the old 
woman's speech in the beginning. 



TOBOGGANNING. 

Tobogganning is one of the rare exhilarating 
outdoor sports of our own Northwest, and is also 
indulged in to a large extent in the northeastern 
154 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

portion of the Dominion of Canada — notably in 
and around Montreal. 

It is difficult to give a pen picture of this 
health-giving, life-prolonging pastime that will 
adequately describe it. 

In places where, from natural surroundings, a 
slide must be constructed in order to engage in 
the sport, a clear spot is selected and a platform 
built to a height of fifty or more feet. This plat- 
form is made sufficiently large and strong to 
hold many persons. A chute is then constructed 
at an angle of some forty-five degrees, reaching 
to within a few feet of the ground, when it is 
made to slope gradually off till it is a channel 
with a gentle downward fall. This channel or 
chute is from four to six feet wide. The plat- 
form and chute built, a cold spell is looked for. 
When it arrives, a good hose is attached to a 
hydrant and the whole course liberally sprinkled 
with water till ice has formed to a thickness suf- 
ficient to make a good sliding surface. Then the 
time is ripe for you to proceed with your tobog- 
gan. 

These vehicles are of divers sizes and patterns. 
Some "speedy," with glistening steel running- 
surfaces securely attached to the bottom, while 
others are of the ''slow" type (fast enough for a 
novice, I assure you). Some will hold but one, 
while others are made to carry from four to six 
persons, and some even more than that. 
155 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

Draw your toboggan to the top of the plat- 
form, place it at the edge overlooking the chute, 
get on your load, and when all are ready a tip- 
ping apparatus launches you down the steep in- 
cline at the speed of a rocket. If it is your first 
trip your teeth will be chattering, your hair stand 
on end, your hands tightly clenching the guard 
rails or ropes at your sides, and you are momen- 
tarily fearing that this rash act is to be your last. 
But you speed away — down, down, down till you 
reach the lesser incline, with a wild bound as 
though you were riding a thing of life bent upon 
your destruction in its mad race to the end of 
the course. To check your momentum a small 
mountain of snow has been piled up where you 
are intended to stop, and up this you go still at 
a lively pace, which is soon checked, however, 
by the abrupt decline. Your onward rush 
checked, you slide back a short distance, per- 
haps roll over, mixed up with your companions 
in a promiscuous heap, from which you must 
extricate yourself with celerity, for you hear the 
shouts of warning from a bevy following you, 
and, quick as you may, the jolly, rollicking, rosy- 
cheeked occupants of the next toboggan are upon 
you. 

The most exhilarating slides, however, are in 
hilly sections where nature has given you a suc- 
cession of steep terraces down which to plunge, 
with a safe ending somewhere not too far away. 
156 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

A steep, tortuous course affords the wildest ride 
of all. The ever-present element of danger in it 
adds to the enjoyment of the expert a hundred- 
fold. 



MALLET GOLF AND HOCKEY GOLF. 

To play mallet or hockey golf you do not need 
miles of fields, just a yard. It may be a large 
yard or a small yard, a front yard or a back 
yard, a yard bristling with trees or clothespoles, 
a grassy yard, or a stony yard. First about 
mallet golf. 

You will use a croquet set, which costs from 
$1.50 upwards. Find tin cans large enough to 
hold a croquet ball and sink them neatly at long 
and short distances from each other, according 
to your fancy. Of course a number of the holes 
should be far apart from each other. If your 
yard is large you may want as many as twenty- 
five holes altogether. They should form an ir- 
regular circle, the first hole being "home" as 
well. A red flag should be set up close to each 
hole to show its position. Between the holes, as 
near or as far from them as you please, plant 
croquet wickets and stakes. Tie a bit of red cloth 
to the top of each wicket, and paint the stakes 
red. At other places along the course heap up 
bunkers of earth or stone, and dig trenches. You 
157 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

might even sink an old tub and keep it tilled with 
water. About half the distance of the links a 
square yard of ground should be plainly marked 
out by four corner clothespins, colored red. After 
you have laid out your course, you should care 
fully note down in the right order what obstacles 
— bunkers, pond, wickets, stakes, square yard, 
etc. — the ball must meet with on the way around. 
The object of the game, as you might suppose, 
is to reach the home hole in the fewest possible 
number of mallet strokes, so each player should 
keep his own score very carefully on a card. The 
game is begun by a player setting his ball as 
close as possible to the edge of the first hole, and 
knocking towards the second. The mallet ma> 
be held in one hand or two hands, and may have 
a long or a short handle. If a player misses his 
stroke altogether, he may try again, but if he 
touches the ball, however lightly, the stroke 
counts. He must successfully meet every one 
of the obstacles. The ball must be knocked 
through a wicket in the direction of the hole. If 
the ball is knocked into a trench or pond, instead 
of across it, the player may, if he pleases, shove 
the ball out with the stick end of his mallet, every 
into the square yard of poisoned ground adds 
into the square yard of poisoned ground add;*, 
two strokes to one's score. Should you not be 
sure whether a ball is within the poison 
boundaries, stretch a string from clothespin to 
158 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

clothespin. If the ball is inside the string, even 
if it barely touches it, the ball is poisoned. A 
player knocking his ball against the ball of an- 
other player is entitled to a free stroke — a stroke 
that does not count on his score. It is a good 
thing to have an umpire around when you are 
playing mallet or hockey golf; if you have a 
tournament, there must be an umpire by all 
means. Every time a player breaks a rule a 
stroke must be added to his score. 

Hockey golf is played like mallet golf, except 
that a hard rubber ball and a hockey stick are 
used in place of a wooden ball and a mallet. 

Expert players should own several sizes and 
weights of mallets and hockey sticks. There are 
mallets with long heads and short handles, and 
short heads and long handles; and light-weight 
polo sticks may be used for careful knocks at 
short distances. 

These games can be played by little boys and 
girls and big boys and girls, when they are alone, 
and when they are together. 



TEN-STEP. 

This is another variation of hide-and-seek. 

After the usual counting out, the one who is *'it" 

stands with his back to the rest, and rapidly 

counts up to ten. Meanwhile all the others run ; 

159 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

but they must stop the moment ''ten" is reached 
by the one counting. If any fail to stop running 
instantly when the fateful number is pronounced, 
those unfortunate ones must come back and start 
over again. 

This is repeated until all are out of sight. 
Then the one who is *'it" counts one hundred, 
after which he starts to find them, and the game 
proceeds like hide-and-seek. 



JOLLY MILLER.* 

The children form a double circle, the arm of 
each player in the outer ring being linked with 
that of a player in the inner ring. A player 
stands within the inner circle, quite near to it. 
The two rings march round, and as the song 
ends, each player in the outer ring lets go his 
hold and tries to grasp the arm of the one in 
front of his former partner. This movement is 
the opportunity of the player within the ring, 
who tries to grasp the arm of someone in the 
inner ring while it is free. If he succeeds, the 
player in the outer ring who is thus left without 
a partner must take his place. The rhyme sung 
as the rings are revolving is this : 
Jolly is the miller who lives on the hill, 
His wheel goes round with a right good will. 
One hand in the hopper and the other in the bag, 
The right ones hasten and the left ones lag. 

*For music, see page i93- 
i6o 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 
MY AUNT DORCAS' RAG CARPET. 

The children stand in a ring, holding hands, 
with one in the center, who begins the game by 
assigning the name of a different color to each 
player, and then says : 

''My Aunt Dorcas is making a rag carpet. 
First she sewed a red stripe and a brown stripe 
together." 

At this, the two children to whom the colors 
"red" and "brown" were given, leave their places 
and try to run around the outside of the circle 
and regain their former positions before the one 
inside can break through and catch either of 
them. If both succeed, the one inside goes on 
with her story, saying, for instance : 

"Next, she sewed a green and an orange stripe 
together." 

With a sublime disregard of artistic color ef- 
fects, instantly "green" and "orange" leave their 
places and make the same attempt as did the first 
two players. So the game proceeds until the 
player in the center catches someone, who must 
then change places with her. 



WATERSPORTS DAY. 

Watersports Day can be celebrated on a duck 
pond or a Great Lake, and if possible both boys 
and girls should take part. Ten in the morning 
i6i 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

on a July or August day is a good time. There 
should be no trouble in gathering together an 
audience. Plenty of seats should be provided, 
for ladies do not, as a rule, enjoy sitting on the 
ground. There should be three grown-up judges, 
two men and one lady, besides an announcer of 
the events, a starter, and a score-keeper, and a 
life-saving boat holding two strong big brothers. 
The following list of watersports is large, in 
order that a selection may be made. Many of 
the events should be divided into two classes, 
one for boys and girls under twelve, and another 
for boys and girls over twelve. 

(A) Swimming. 

Breast and side stroke, lOO yards, 200 yards, 
440 yards, half-mile, mile. 

Swimming under water. 

Fancy swimming. 

Comical swimming. 

Swimming through barrels. 

Swimming on planks, 100 yards. 

Swimming with life-preservers — for the small 
children. 

Swimming with an empty nail keg in the arms, 
100 yards. 

Dogs' swimming race, 100 yards. 

(B; Water polo. 

(C) Water basket ball, with a rubber football. 
The baskets can be mounted on the polo goal 
posts. 

162 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

(D) Diving. 
High diving. 
Somersault diving. 
Diving feet first. 

Diving from a spring-board. 
Squat diving. 

Diving for half a dollar, or a dollar, placed in 
a wooden box. 

(E) Floating. 

(F) Tug-o'-war. 

(G) Rowing. 

Eight-oared shells, one mile or two miles. 

Four-oared shells, etc. 

Single shells, from one-half a mile to two miles. 

Two-pair rowboats, half a mile. 

One-pair rowboats, half a mile. 

Clown race ; one oar only to a boat, lOO yards. 

(H) Paddling. 

One single- or double-bladed paddle in a row- 
boat or open canoe one-half or one mile. 

Two single- or double-bladed paddles, etc. 

Three single- or double-bladed paddles, etc. 

Four single- or double-bladed paddles, etc. 

Blindfold canoe race against time, one single- 
or double-bladed paddle in a rowboat or open 
canoe. 

(I) Sailing. 

Catboats, one-half mile to two miles. 

Schooners, etc. 

Canoes, etc. 

163 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

Catamarans, etc. 

(J) Poling on rafts, loo yards, one pole to a 
raft. The rafts must be of the same pattern. 

(K) Casting a lead sinker from a reel. 

(L) Tub race, lOO yards. 

(M^ Boxing match, in water up to armpits. 

(N) Miniature yacht race, one-half or one 
mile. 

(O) A sea fight. Rafts, or flat rowboats, meet 
in battle. 

The crews of one navy might be dressed in 
white bathing suits, those of the other in 
black. It is almost needless to say that every 
sailor should be a good swimmer. The boats 
must carry neither oars, paddles, sails nor 
weapons of any kind. That fleet gains the vic- 
tory which upsets the most vessels. By "upset- 
ting" is meant pushing the crews out of their 
ships and turning the ships bottom upwards. 
Each fleet should have an admiral, captains and 
lieutenants. The fight should take place in shal- 
low water. 

The prizes might be a toy yacht or a steam- 
boat, a miniature bark canoe, a rare sea shell, a 
sponge, a pair of oars, a paddle, a jar of gold fish, 
ribbons marked with the name of the event, 
books on seaweed, fishes, etc, or story books of 
the merchant ships or the navy. There should be 
prizes, too, for the best all-around winners. 
164 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

Advertise Watersports Day some time in ad- 
vance with comical posters which you yourselves 
design. Never mind how absurd they are. Have 
a little music on the shore, if it is nothing but a 
hand organ. Decorate your boats with flags and 
streamers. Provide your audience with printed 
or written sheets, giving the list of events. 
Blanks should be left after each event for the 
names of the winners. On the evening of Water- 
sports Day there might be a Lantern Carnival, 
in which every boat, little or big, should take 
part, all following the Admiral's flagship and a 
boat containing the ''band." Songs should be 
sung and firecrackers and fireworks set off. 



CURLING. 

No, this process has nothing to do with the 
mirror, unless, indeed, the ice is clear enough to 
serve as one. It is played not with hair, but with 
heavy stones, skilfully slid or twirled along the 
ice. The game is fully four hundred years old, 
and its origin may be guessed from an old Scot^ 
tish "poem," written by a medical practitioner 
about two hundred years ago, when doctors and 
poets had time and taste to be both at once, and 
athletes into the bargain : 

"To Curie on the Ice doth greatly please, 
Being a Manly Scottish Exerceese, 
It Clears the Brain, stirs up the Native Heat, 
And gives a gallant Appetite for meat." 

165 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

It is a social game played by eight men, four 
on each side, and at certain points includes the 
use of brooms to sweep the stones into place. 

The game has been well and concisely de- 
scribed by an Englishman, Pennant, in his ac- 
count of a tour of Scotland made by him in 1772. 
He writes : 

"Of the sports of these parts that of Curling 
is the favorite, and one unknown in England. It 
is an amusement of the winter, and played on the 
ice, by sliding from one mark to another great 
stones of forty to seventy-pound weight, of hemi- 
spherical form, with an iron or wooden handle 
at top. The object of the player is to lay his 
stone as near to the mark as possible, to guard 
that of his partner, which had been well laid be- 
fore, or to strike off that of his antagonist." 

During the past quarter of a century the game 
has attained great popularity in Canada and por- 
tions of the United States. A new curling rink at 
Lincoln Park, Chicago, is the pride of the North- 
western Curling Association. There is another 
on Seventy-first street, which is the property of 
the Wanderers' Cricket and Athletic Club. At 
both places the games played have excited much 
interest. 



166 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

RUSSIAN SPORTS. 

Night is the favorite time not only for indoor 
but for outdoor social activities in St. Peters- 
burg. Even the sleighing parties are given by 
night. With three horses abreast, the light! 
sleighs dash over the snow antx icefields with a 
furious speed and silence that peculiarly suit the 
Russians' fancy. During the winter months the 
River Neva becomes the great highway, and is 
crowded with all the best and the worst company 
in the capital. The "frost of St. Nicholas" begins 
the real winter. Then, when you cannot face the 
outer air without a gasp, areas are set apart on 
the river for skating, race-courses for sledges, 
and ice hills are formed by a slope of planks bor- 
dered by a raised edge and supported by beams 
and posts, over which water is poured. An ex- 
tremely popular method of entertaining one's 
friends is to invite them to an "ice-hill party." 
Hills and runs are illuminated by Bengal lights, 
Chinese and other lanterns hung from the trees 
of the avenues and upon improvised lamp posts all 
along the run. The scene is fairy-like in its glit- 
tering whiteness. After coasting down the hills 
for a few hours the guests drive away to supper, 
sometimes to the host's own house, sometimes to 
"Samarcand," a well-known suburban restaurant 
close to the hills, where may be heard the won- 
derful Russian gypsy singers. 
167 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

During the summer St. Petersburg is almost 
deserted, for it is a universal custom to go out 
of town. In the first five days after the ice breaks 
up there is a general migration. The cottages at 
Kretovsky are delightful summer residences. A 
great gallery occupies the whole lower floor in 
front ; and here, with their books and pianos, peo- 
ple pass their time among the flowers and shrubs 
during the long June and July days. 

The public gardens of the provincial cities are 
well patronized at this season. Sack races, the 
climbing of greased poles, fireworks and tissue 
paper balloons furnish the amusements. Isabel 
Hapgood, in "Russian Rambles," gives a vivid 
description of a Russian summer resort, with the 
soldiers and their dancing, the young people, the 
children's playground with its ship's mast for the 
youngsters to climb, surrounded by a protecting 
network, and mentions that several members of 
the royal family were seen swinging on the 
Giant Steps — "a tall, thick mast firmly planted 
in the earth, bound with iron at the top, and up- 
holding a thick iron ring to which are attached 
heavy cables which touch the ground. The game 
consists of a number of persons seizing hold of 
these cables, running around the mast until suffi- 
cient impetus is gained, and then swinging 
through the air in a circle." 

Many a quaint scene appears in the merry- 
makings of the peasants. On the Thursday be- 
i68 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

fore Whitsunday they flock to the forests, cut 
down a young birch tree, and dress it in gown, 
garland and bright ribbons, naming it the God- 
dess of Spring. After feasting beneath the trees 
in honor of the goddess, they carry her home 
with them in the evening, singing and dancing 
before her on the way, and install her as an hon- 
ored guest in one of their houses. Ceremonious 
visits are paid to her by the villagers on Friday 
and Saturday, and on Sunday they take her to 
the nearest stream or pond and throw her in. 

All over Russia is held on Thursday of the 
seventh week after Easter the feast called 
"Semik." Here, also, they have a Spring God- 
dess ; in most places as above described, in others, 
the handsomest maiden in the village is chosen 
to represent Spring, decked with boughs and 
blossoms, and carried about by the other girls. 
In the evening the girls and young men join in 
a circling dance known as the khorovod. The 
maidens wear floral wreaths, and the youths, 
flowers in their hat-bands. After the dancing, 
the girls toss their wreaths into the water, watch- 
ing them anxiously to see whether they sink or 
swim, float ashore or turn round in a circle. If 
a wreath doesn't run ashore, its owner will have 
long life and a happy marriage. If it circles 
round, she will become the victim of unrequited 
love ; while if it sinks, she will either become an 
old maid or meet with an early death. 
169 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

The circling choral dance known as the khoro- 
vod is of great antiquity in Russia. Near every 
village is an open spot where the young people, 
arrayed in their brightest costumes, form them- 
selves in a circle and begin moving around, this 
way and that, singing songs appropriate to the 
season and the occasion. Besides the spring 
khorovods already mentioned there are those for 
midsummer and for autumn after harvest. Some- 
times, in a large village, two khorovods are 
formed, one at each end of the broad, long street. 
At a signal, the two khorovods begin moving 
towards each other, singing and circling, until 
they meet in the center of the village. 

In the middle of Lent occurs the curious cus- 
tom called the Christening of the Cuckoos, 
which, coupled with the frequent representation 
of the soul as a bird, probably has reference to 
children who die unbaptized, and are therefore 
supposed to be perpetually flying wailing through 
the air. Little figures of a bird, made of grass 
or flowers, are hung with crosses and suspended 
to a bough, and girls meet and kiss beneath them, 
becoming by this ceremony ''gossips" for life, as 
if at the christening of a child they had become 
united by the tie of co-godmothership. 

Other curious customs abound. On midsum- 
mer eve the young girls, decked with wreaths of 
flowers and grasses, assemble beside a piece of 

170 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

water, kindle a fire, and pace around it singing 
certain songs, and then jump wildly backward 
and forward through the flames. In the winter, 
as soon as it begins to freeze, the young people 
and children walk before the windows begging 
cakes and nuts. On Christmas eve the old men 
of the village sing hymns before the windows of 
the houses. 



HORNAWAY. 

This is probably a distant cousin of the game 
"Tom, Tom, pull away," described elsewhere in 
the book. Two parallel lines, three or four rods 
apart, are drawn across a section of the play- 
ground. IMidway between these stands the play- 
er who is *'it," and all the rest stand on one of 
the lines, facing him. When he calls "Horn- 
away," then all the others rush to reach the op- 
posite line without being touched by him. He 
tries to touch as many as he can during this rush, 
and all so touched, or tagged, become his captives 
and assist him during the next rush. The players 
continue to cross from one line to the other, 
alternately, as long as there are any who are not 
tagged. Whether the first one or the last one 
tagged becomes "it" for the next game is not 
certain, nor does it matter; but if the latter plan 
be adopted the game might be a trifle more ex* 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

citing, as it would give full scope to the agility 
of the best player if he is not already satisfied 
with his achievements. 



OLYMPIAN GAMES. 

At Athens, in 1896, sixteen centuries after 
ancient Greece had held her last Olympics, these 
classic contests were revived by the King of the 
Hellenes. A large marble stadium was built as 
an arena for the ten-days series of sports, which 
were witnessed by as many as seventy thousand 
people on a single day, including the entire diplo- 
matic corps and distinguished persons, royal and 
otherwise, from all parts of the world. 

The festival was again celebrated in Paris in 
1900, and is to be repeated every four years ac- 
cording to the ancient custom, only in different 
cities of the world. The honored city in 1904 is 
to be Chicago, whose centennial will be cele- 
brated at the same time. As nearly as possible 
the sports of the old Olympian contests, those 
of the ancient Greeks, will be revived, the aim 
being in most cases to reproduce them exactly, 
even to the ancient rules. There are to be short- 
distance runs — 50, 100, 200 and 440 yards dashes 
— long runs of from 880 yards to 10 miles ; hur- 
dle and obstacle races, relay races, and discus 
172 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

hurling. Jumping and vaulting contests, includ- 
ing the broad jump, standing jump, high jump> 
running jump and pole vault, will also be fea- 
tures. Some idea of the scope of the games can 
be gathered from the following extracts from a 
letter written by Henry J. Furber, Jr., the Presi- 
dent of the International Olympian Games Asso- 
ciation : 

"First, there will be world's championship con- 
tests in the standard sports, including field and 
track athletics, equestrianism, fencing, cycling, 
yachting, rowing, swimming, life-saving exer- 
cises, billiards, boAvling, polo, turning and all 
such games as are common to different nations. 

"Secondly, exhibitions will be given of the 
sports peculiar to the different nations of the 
world. Under this head will be included base- 
ball, cricket, Japanese wrestling, French boxing 
with the feet, German Schlaeger contests, Span- 
ish pilota, etc. 

"The sports of our great West, including con- 
tests with the lasso, the wild horse race and the 
breaking of fractious horses will, of course, be 
rendered prominent. 

"Thirdly, an effort will be made to include 
within the evening programme representations 
of the games of ancient Greece and Rome, with 
appropriate pageantry and settings. These will 
be intermingled with other exhibitions of a spec- 
173 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

tacular nature, including military displays." 

The diversified nationalities of the competing 
athletes will add to the interest of the sports. 
Greece will send descendants of the Hellenes, 
who made the great games famous. Sweden, 
which tried hard to secure the Olympic events, 
will produce a host of hardy Norse competitors. 
Active Frenchmen, bulky German Turners, and 
the pick of England's collegians, the best of 
Cambridge and Oxford, are certain to be engaged 
in the struggle. Red-haired Scots will show the 
world the right way to throw the hammer. There 
will be great displays of strength by Irishmen, 
and the finest athletes America can produce will 
have their troubles in winning their share of 
laurels. 

Spear-throwing will be reproduced by Greece, 
Egypt and many other countries of Asia. The 
bright. Oriental dress in red, blue, green and 
gold of the contestants and the splendid polished 
steel flashing through space at a mark, will make 
this a most gorgeous contest. 

In the ancient festival, horse-racing, with 
chariots and singly with riders, was most excit- 
ing. There will be torchlight processions, as in 
the olden days, reproductions of plays, Greek and 
Roman, historical posing in ancient costume, and 
illustrating world-famous events and customs. 
The cestus tourney, the grandfather of the mod- 
ern prize-fight, will be eliminated, but almost 
174 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

every conceivable reproduction of the antique 
sports is to be expected. 

The stadium, to cover about eleven acres, will 
seat seventy-five thousand persons, and will be 
open for thirty days. Its arena alone will be 
eight hundred feet long and one hundred and 
thirty feet wide. This arena, although open to 
the air, will be guarded against rain by an um- 
brella-like series of gigantic curtains arranged 
on rollers and operated by electric motors. The 
rest of the building will be roofed in the ordinary 
way. There will not be a pillar or post in the 
whole interior to shut off the view. Outside 
the columns will be of the colossal Corinthian 
order, and the approach to the building will be 
through a park, studded with flower gardens and 
fountains. 

The festival is of Ionic origin, nobody knows 
how long ago, for its beginning is merged in 
legendary lore. The prizes given in the contests 
were at first of money, but later the olive wreath 
became the token of success. 

One of the most popular sports of the Egyp- 
tians was that of chariot racing ; and the Greeks, 
whose vehicles had up to the fifteenth or six- 
teenth Olympiad been of the simplest, began to 
adopt those of Egyptian character. These were 
decorated and improved upon until by the twen- 
ty-fifth Olympiad they were made so strong and 
175 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

so light as to be of use in the stadium. This 
introduction of chariot racing was what decided 
the permanence of the games. The olive wreath 
was kept as an unchanged feature, and this did 
much to prevent the motives of the contestants 
from degenerating. 

It is a curious fact that at discus throwing, one 
of the most ancient and foreign sports imagin- 
able, the Americans have already distinguished 
themselves. To the astonishment of everyone 
present, at Athens in 1896, Robert Garrett of 
Princeton, captain of the Princeton team, who 
together with the Bostonians was in Athens to 
represent America, won the throwing of the dis- 
cus after exactly three hours' practice — a feat 
without a parallel. 

The figure of the discus thrower, copied from 
the ancient Greek statue of Discobolas, has been 
chosen as the central design in the official seal 
of the International Olympian Games Associa- 
tion, and will be used on medals awarded. It is 
expected that not alone the champion athletes of 
the world, but, to vary the attractions, thousands 
of school children, will take part in the games. 
Th<ey are to be drilled in athletic exercises under 
expert physical instructors. The Young Men's 
Christian Association and the University of Chi- 
cago ar« also actively interested in the prepara- 
tions. 

176 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

**When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug 
of war," and when this historic festival, the pride 
of the ancients, is revived on so colossal a scale 
in energetic, hospitable, modern Chicago, the re- 
sult can hardly fail to conquer many a prejudice 
and convince even the most skeptical that sport, 
well directed, has an important part in building 
the strength of the nations. 



THE BANGPOPS. 

A Fourth of July Fantasy for the Children. 

This fantasy is suitable for outdoor perform- 
ance. The scenery is simple, little being required 
for the first act. The stage might be painted 
green, with a strip left unpainted for the lane ; or 
a green cloth might be fastened across, covering 
it for the second act, in which natural foliage 
should be profusely used, to represent woodland. 
Leaves should be strewn thickly around, with 
plants, cut flowers, shrubs and branches placed 
in the background and wherever they are not in 
the way. Music is needed only at the beginning 
of the second act and during the dance of the 
Colored Fires. Care should be taken to intro- 
duce the real colored fires and the crash of drums, 
etc., at precisely the right moments. 
Characters : 

King Gunpowder — Ruler of the Bangpops. 
177 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

Queen Flame — The Lovely Wife of King Gun- 
powder. 

Reynold Merrie, Elsie Merrie, Polly Merrie, 
Doris Merrie — Poor, but gently-bred children, 
aged II, lo, 8 and 7 years. 

Bangpops : 

Two Firecrackers. 

Three Colored Fires. 

Roman Candle. 

Sky Rocket. 

Pin Wheel. 

Parlor Match. 

Slow Match. 
Description of Characters and Costumes. 

King Gunpowder — A boy wearing a glossy 
black crown and robe, and carrying a black wand. 

Queen Flame — A little girl with long yellow 
hair; flame-colored hair ribbon, flame-colored 
dress, stockings and shoes, scattered over with 
tinsel; glistening wand. 

The Firecrackers — Two boys dressed in scarlet 
shoes and scarlet Chinese clothing, with scarlet 
skull-caps to which are attached long tow-col- 
ored queues. 

The Colored Fires — Three little girls in tissue 
paper dresses of red, green and blue. 

Roman Candle — A boy wearing a large false 
nose and dressed in the short white garment of 
a young Roman. He should carry a very large 
candle. 

178 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

Sky Rocket — A boy in deep blue clothing cov- 
ered with gilt paper stars; cone-shaped red cap. 
A red stick should be bound to his back by two 
red ribbons, or he may carry the stick in his hand. 

Pin Wheel — A boy in tight-fitting purple 
clothes, with a black wheel hanging from his neck 
in front, and another fastened to a purple skull- 
cap. 

Parlor Match — A little boy in white or lemon 
yellow ; red skull cap, and wand painted to repre- 
sent a match. 

Slowmatch — A stout, sleepy-appearing boy 
in a red cap and light brown clothing; he should 
carry a thick wand painted to represent a slow- 
match (punk). 

Other characters in ordinary dress. 



ACT I. 



Time : The day before the Fourth of July. 
Scene: A lane in Buttercup Town. Fastened 
to a guidepost is this proclamation : 



A QUIET FOURTH ! 

ANY CHILD CAUGHT IN THE 
ACT OF SHOOTING OFF FIRE- 
ARMS, FIRECRACKERS, OR FIRE- 
179 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

WORKS IN BUTTERCUP TOWN, 
OR WITHIN TWO MILES OF IT IN 
ANY DIRECTION, ON, BEFORE OR 
AFTER THURSDAY, JULY 
FOURTH, WILL BE SPANKED 
AND PUT TO BED BY THE OFFI- 
CIAL SPANKING COMMITTEE, 
AND, MOREOVER, WILL BE 
OBLIGED TO GO WITHOUT HIS 
DESSERT FOR A MONTH. A 
GROWN PERSON WHO IS NAUGH- 
TY IN THE SAME WAY WILL BE 
PUNISHED STILL WORSE. 
CADWALADER BULWINKLE, 

MAYOR. 



Enter, left, Reynold, Elsie, Polly and Doris. 

Reynold (stopping short in front of the sign 
and slowly reading it out loud) — O, what shall 
we do? (Silence for a minute.) 

Polly— It's all Billy Buster's fault ! 

Reynold — So it is ! 

Doris — What did he do? 

Reynold — Why, don't you know? He was the 
boy who tied a bunch of firecrackers to the tail 
of Mr. Green's cat — Mr. Green is the paint-shop 
man — and what did the animal do but run, 
screeching, poor thing, around the shop, and 
every time a cracker went ofif a different kind of 
paint or oil was set on fire, Jim Marsden says, 

i8o 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

and my ! — but you were away at Uncle's when 
the fire happened. My new chicken coop was 
burned up, too ; but not my chickens, thank good- 
ness. Think of our not being allowed to shoot 
off even a torpedo ! O, it's too mean for any use ! 

Elsie — We can shoot off torpedoes, so there! 
They aren't firearms, firecrackers, or fireworks. 

Reynold — Yes, but torpedoes aren't any fun. 
Won't Bertie be mad ! He's bought a whole 
dozen six-ball Roman candles; saved up four 
months to do it, too. 

Elsie — Then you can't shoot off the dandy big 
giant cracker that the Chinaman gave to you ! 

Reynold — Don't believe I could shoot it off any 
way. Sing Song pulled the fuse out; said the 
cracker might "go slam-bangee when you lookee 
at 'im close." Just as if I didn't know how to set 
off a big cracker ! 

Polly — If papa weren't so poor he'd take us off 
somewhere in the train tomorrow. 

Elsie — Dear papa! He's busy writing his 
book. Don't let's say a word to him about our 
troubles. If mama weren't away at Aunt Alice's 
she would help us to plan. 

Reynold — Tomorrow's the Fourth, and (chok- 
ing a little) we — we can only p'rade with flags, 
and drink lemonade. I'm going to throw stones 
at that sign, I am ! (Picks up some stones.) 

Polly — Reynold Merrie, don't you do it! That 
would be very naughty. 

i8i 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

Elsie — And s'posin' the Spanking Committee 
should spy on you? 

(Reynold looks around uneasily and drops his 
stones), 

Polly — Reynold, you aren^t any sorrier than we 
are. 

Reynold — What shall we do with our three 
packages of crackers? 

Doris — And our slowmatches, too? 

Elsie — I know! Let's take our lunch into the 
woods, and explore about three miles, and blow 
horns, and shoot off things ! 

Reynold (still sulky) — O, that isn't any sport. 
The boys won't come along if girls — I'm going 
fishing, and I'll throw every one of our crackers 
into the pond, and — 

Polly — Now, Reynold, you just stop. You 
know you will enjoy a picnic with your darling 
little sisters. If you'll go I'll tell you a lovely 
s'prise right now. 

Reynold (thinking a minute) — All right. 

Polly — Well, that big cracker is just a trick! 
It's full of candy. It isn't meant to shoot off. 
You press on one end and the lining of the 
cracker comes out like a telescope. 

Reynold, Elsie and Doris — How did you find 
out? 

Polly — From papa. 

Reynold (catching hold of Elsie and Doris by 
182 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

the hand, and stepping off at right) — I say we 
open it now ! 

Polly (following closely after) — O, wait until 
tomorrow ! Wait — Wait ! 

Voices of Reynold, Elsie and Doris — No ! — No ! 
No! 

Curtain. 



ACT II. 



Time : Night of the Fourth of July. 

Scene: An Open Space in the Deep Woods. 
The curtain rises in the midst of a dance of the 
Bangpops. On a cask marked "Danger," at rear. 
King Gunpowder is seated ; Queen Flame is seat- 
ed next to him on a rustic throne. The queen, 
rising, extends her wand. The dancing stops. 
The Bangpops gather about the King and Queen. 

Bangpops (shouting) — A Fourth-of-July 
speech from our King ! 

(The King rises and bows. The Firecrackers 
place his cask in the center of stage). 

King (mounting cask) — My dear noisy sub- 
jects ! (Banging of drum behind scenes.) 

Bangpops (giving their yell) — Rah — rah — rah! 
Fizz-bang-pop ! Boomalockey, boomalockey ! 
Hisssssss ! (Imitation of the sound of a sky 
rocket in air. Bangpops point upward). Ah-h-h ! 
BOOM! (Crash on bass drum). 
183 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

King — It gives me great pleasure this even- 
ing- 
Sky Rocket (pointing to right) — See who ap- 
proach ! (All the Bangpops point eagerly in the 
same direction. Excitement. Whispering and 
exclamations. Enter, right, very slowly, and hud- 
dled together as if frightened, the Merrie chil- 
dren, with torn clothes. They pause, dazed, at 
the side of the King.) 

Bangpops — Well ! 

King (jumping from cask and bending to kiss 
Doris) — Who would suppose — what a dear child. 
There — don't cry. Who are you all, anyway? 

Reynold (backing away a little) — We are just 
some lost children. Are you Old King Cole? 
(King and Bangpops laugh). 

King — No, indeed. My name is Gunpowder 
the Fourth — the Fourth of July, that is. 

Polly_0 ! 

King — You aren't scared, are you? 

Queen (coming forward) — No, no, little ones, 
you must not be scared. These are merely Bang- 
pop people — firecrackers and all that sort of 
thing. 

Reynold — But they are alive! 

Bangpop — Of course we are ! 

Polly — Guess we must be dreaming. You're 
the queerest fairies I ever heard of. Do you stay 
here all the time? 

184 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

King — No, my child. At midnight the Bang- 
pops go off until the next Fourth. 

Bangpops (giving their yell to surprise of the 
children) — Rah — rah — rah ! Fizz — bang — pop ! 
Boomalockey, boomalockey ! Hisssssss ! Ah-h-h ! 
BOOM ! (Crash on bass drum). 

Elsie — Where are they going to, King Gun- 
powder? 

King (laughing) — Off, my dear. Didn't ycu 
ever hear of a firecracker going off? 

Elsie — Yes, but I can't understand yet where 
you will go to. 

King — Well, that is something nobody knows. 

Elsie — Won't the Bangpops be hurt after they 
have — gone off? 

King — Far from it. The Queen and I stay just 
as we are, but as for our subjects, they — they — 
well, the air is filled with the delicious odor of 
powder-smoke and burning paper. After the 
racket the Queen and I put together the broken 
Bangpops and lay them carefully away until next 
year, when they come to life again as good as 
new. 

Queen — You see, children, these are the first 
Bangpops there ever were. Years and years ago, 
skillful Chinese heard of them, and made fire toys 
like them — the kind you shoot off every Fourth — 

Reynold — Ah, but we don't shoot them off 
every Fourth, dear Queen. The Mayor of But- 

i8S 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

tercup Town, where we live, has forbidden us to 
make a noise this Fourth. 

Bangpops (disgusted) — O-o-o ! 

Queen — O, we know all about that, and how 
disappointed you poor children are. Never mind. 
We will try to comfort you. It is very near mid- 
night. At that time you had best stand behind a 
tree and watch the prettiest exhibition of fire- 
works you can possibly imagine. I touch off the 
Bangpops with my wand of fire, and then — yes, 
then — 

Polly (clapping her hands) — How lovely ! 

King — Meantime, we must dance and see the 
Fourth almost out. (A stuffed toy elephant 
drops from above at the King's feet. He picks 
up the toy.) What can this be? 

Bangpops (reciting in a loud manner) — 

*'My mother gave me fifty cents 
To see the elephant jump the fence. 
He jumped so high 
He touched the sky. 
And never came down till the Fourth of July." 

King — Thank you, dear subjects, for explain- 
ing this strange occurrence. (Hands elephant to 
Doris, who hugs it.) Children, I want you to 
know who the Bangpops are. They will say 
something for themselves, I think. Bangpops, 
advance ! (Bangpops walk forward in line with 
a curious shuffling dance step. King and Queen 
i86 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

at left, children at right, Bangpops a little back 
from center.) 

Firecrackers (stepping out with their queues in 
their hands). 

First F. — Ready! 

Second F. — Steady! 

First F.— That's it! (Parlor Match and Slow- 
match step out and stretch their wands near the 
Firecrackers, who hold their queues, or fuses, to 
the match-ends.) 

Parlor Match— Mine's lit ! 

Slowmatch — Mine's out ! 

First F. — Look out ! 

All four (jumping in line) — Boom ! (Sound 
from bass drum at this same instant. Music. 
Dance of Colored Fires. Real colored fires are 
flashed from the sides of stage at this time.) 

Roman Candle (advancing to center) — 

O, I'm a haughty Roman, with a haughty Roman 

nose, 
And what a Roman Candle knows, he knows he 

knows he knows. 
I'm a brilliant, sparkling firework from my fuse 

unto my toes. 
You may talk of Roman punches, and of Rome 

the city old. 
But, believe me, Roman Candles are more bright 

than Roman gold. 

King — Strange that not a single schoolbook of 
this gentleman has told! 

187 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

(Roman candle returns to line, shaking his head 
as if offended. Sky Rocket and Pin Wheel ad- 
vance, keeping step to center of stage.) 

Sky Rocket and Pin Wheel — Ladies and gen- 
tlemen — I mean children alone ! (They turn 
angrily upon each other.) 

Sky Rocket — What do you mean, sir? I have 
the floor! 

Pin Wheel — Never ! I'm twice as important a 
firework as you are ! 

King— There, there! Hush! (Pin Wheel 
turns his back to audience.) 

Sky Rocket — 

Can you wonder when I scatter 

Stars and fire-streaks, spitter-spatter, 

Little children cry: "Dear rocket, 

Please, O please drop in my pocket, 

Just one star to make a locket ! 

If you don't we'll surely cry !" 

But I — my cap and stick — 

Never play this harmful trick ; 

No, not I ! 

No, not I ! 

Did you ever see a comet hiss from earth unto 

the sky? 
That comet's I ! 
That comet's I ! 
Did you ever see the lightning creep, and crawl, 

and curve on high? 
That lightning's I ! 
That lightning's I ! 
When the good ship, all but lost, 

i88 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 

By the winds and waves is tossed, 
Then who tells the crew on land 
They must lend a helping hand? 
Who but I? 
Who but I? 

(First stroke of midnight. Rolling of drum 
between strokes.) 

King and Queen (running to center, and hold- 
ing up wands) — Bangpops, make ready to go off! 

Bangpops (wild with excitement, capering and 
shaking hands) — At last we're going off! Rah- 
rah-rah ! Fizz-bang-pop ! Boomalockey, boom- 
alockey! Hiss-s-s-s-s ! Ah-h-h! BOOM! (Crash 
of drum.) 

Queen — One to make ready! (Bangpops walk 
abreast one step forward.) Two to say good- 
bye! 

Bangpops — Good-bye! (Kissing their hands 
and walking another step forward. Children at 
right are hopping up and down.) 

Queen (rushing to Sky Rocket, who presents 
his back ready for firing off by the Queen's 
wand) — And three to — go off! 
Curtain. 

(Yelling of Bangpops; sounds of drums and 
horns and firecrackers exploding in barrels and 
tin boilers behind the scenes.) 



189 



EIGHTY GOOD TIMES OUT OF DOORS. 




THE BJtMGPOPS. 

190 



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♦For directions, see page 24. 



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Little Wavelets.* 



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Music by Warren F. Kennett. 



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♦For description with motions, see page 96. 



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♦For directions, see page i6o. 






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See - saw, see - saw, Swing-ing high and low. 





saw, see - saw, Hap - py all the day.. 




Used by permission of The John Church Companv, owners of copyright. 
From "Songs of the Child World." 



The Target Game. 



1. Iia a t^r - get round with my cir - cles fair, Paint -ed 

2. Mark the dis - tance well, take a care - ful aim, Firm - ly 



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gold and red and blue, 
hold the curv - ing bow, 



Bring your bow so strong, Bring your 
Pull with all your might On the 




ar - row straight, Can you 
good stout cord. Let the 



shoot the bulls eye through? 

ar - row swift - ly go. 




Used by permission of The John Church Company, owners of copyright. 
From "Songs of the Child World." 



Dance of the Rainbow Fairies. 



1. We are fair - ies from fair - y land, hap - py and gay, And our 

2. So we dance on the dew-drops and on the lake's breast^ On the 




dress - es are made from the moon's sil-ver ray. Our wings are of gauze late-ly 
rain - bow that curves o'er the wa- ter-fall'screst,But forth rides the sun in his 




washed by the dew. And flash from their* folds ev'- ry bright rain- bow hue, 
chari - ot on high And home all the bright rain-how fair - ies must fly. 




Used by permission of The John Church Company, owners of copyright. 
From "Songs of the Child World." 



3i^77-3 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



020 237 099 8 



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